ALBANY, N.Y. -- Even as New York's cigarette tax is poised to increase by $1.25 per pack to create the nation's highest state cigarette tax at $2.75 per pack, state health commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., is urging supermarkets in the Empire State to discontinue the sale of tobacco products.
In a full-page ad in major upstate newspapers, Daines appealed to stores to discontinue the advertising and sale of tobacco products, following the lead of three supermarket chains that have already done so.
In January, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. announced that it was [image-nocss] discontinuing the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in its 17 stores located in five East Coast states. The policy went into effect February 10.Click here to view CSP Daily News coverage.
DeCicco Markets announce that it would be tobacco-free by April.Click here to view CSP Daily News coverage.
The New York State Health Department could not be reached for comment to determine if it planned to target other retail channels, such as c-stores, to reduce or discontinue sale of cigarettes and tobacco products.
"Grocery stores are very important members of the community and New Yorkers need their leadership on this issue," Daines said. "This is the only product being sold by food markets that, when used as intended, will kill their customers and increase the number of those dying from devastating diseases like cancer."
The ad was placed Wednesday to coincide with the national "Kick Butts Day."
"The science shows that higher advertising levels and prominent cigarette promotions are associated with more youth starting to smoke," Daines said. "Reducing the availability and promotion of tobacco products will help people quit, discourage youth from starting and demonstrate that supermarkets really are good neighbors who care about the communities in which they are located."
There is a state bill pending that would require all pharmacies and stores with pharmacies to stop selling tobacco.
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