CVS Health Research Institute Study Confirms that the Company's Tobacco Removal Decision Reduced Cigarette Purchases Nationwide

Findings show that those who had purchased cigarettes exclusively at CVS Pharmacy were 38% more likely to stop buying - and presumably using - them altogether

Newly published research underscores the impact of a private retailer on restricting access to tobacco and improving public health

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CVS Health

Feb 16, 2017, 15:01 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Newly published research from the CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) Research Institute emphasizes the role a private retailer can play in restricting access to tobacco and improving public health. The study, published online today in the American Journal of Public Health, showed that the Company's decision to remove tobacco from all CVS Pharmacy stores reduced the number of cigarette purchases across all retail settings with an even greater impact on those who bought cigarettes exclusively at CVS Pharmacy. The research confirms and expands upon initial impact data released on the one-year anniversary of the Company's removal of cigarettes and other tobacco products from its retail stores.

"When we removed tobacco from our shelves, a significant number of our customers simply stopped buying – and hopefully smoking – cigarettes altogether instead of just altering their cigarette purchasing habits," said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health and an author of the study. "This research proves that our decision had a powerful public health impact by disrupting access to cigarettes and helping more of our customers on their path to better health."

The study assessed the impact of CVS Health's discontinuation of tobacco sales by analyzing data from a nationally representative survey of consumers' cigarette purchasing behavior at drug, food, big box, dollar, convenience and gas station retailers prior to and one year following the Company's decision. While the Company's decision reduced cigarette purchases across all retail settings, those who purchased cigarettes exclusively at CVS Pharmacy were 38 percent more likely to stop buying cigarettes, and those who purchased three or more packs per month were more than twice as likely to stop buying cigarettes altogether.

"CVS Health's decision to end tobacco sales has had a substantial and measurable impact on improving our nation's health," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "These newly published results make it increasingly untenable for responsible retailers – especially those that provide health care services – to continue selling tobacco products. We also urge parents and other consumers concerned about health to patronize retailers that don't sell tobacco products, such as those on our website, www.ShopTobaccoFree.org."

Following CVS Health's decision to exit tobacco in 2014, the company has extended its commitment to helping people lead tobacco-free lives through increased smoking cessation resources and a focus on youth tobacco use and prevention. In 2016, CVS Health announced Be The First, a five-year, $50 million initiative to help deliver the first tobacco-free generation. With support and funding through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, Be The First supports comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming delivered in concert with a group of national partner organizations.

"Tobacco use, especially among our youth, is one of the most pressing public health issues that we face today," said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at CVS Health, and President of the CVS Health Foundation. "While smoking rates among children and adults have declined over the past decade, approximately 36.5 million adults still smoke and 3,200 people under age 18 smoke their first cigarette every day. Reducing tobacco use continues to be a public health priority, which we are committed to addressing."

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths each year, $170 billion in medical costs and $156 billion in lost productivity. For more information on CVS Health's commitment to tobacco-free living, visit www.CVSHealth.com/BeTheFirst.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.