Supporters and opponents say the ban would likely lead to further measures to stop the sale of tobacco products. "They are incrementalists," [image-nocss] said Audrey Silk of New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment (NYC CLASH). "How dare they decide what a company's message is and what they can sell based on the message they determined," Silk said. "It's socialism."
She argued that the measure would not reduce sales, but instead would force smokers to go to gas stations and other retailers that do not also offer smoke cessation products along side them as pharmacies do now.
"Health care and cigarettes don't mix," said Russ Sciandra of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York. "Obviously it's going to provoke opposition from some powerful forces, but I think like a lot of issues we work on, this is coming sooner or later and let's do it sooner."
David Sutton of Altria Client Services, part of the parent company of Philip Morris USA, said that the bill unfairly restricts tobacco products. "We're being singled out as a class," Sutton said. "It's a legal product."
Hoyt, who said he has smoked on and off much of his life, noted some supermarket chains such as Wegmans and some small chains voluntarily stopped selling tobacco products and the trend is already underway. "Others are putting profits over doing the right thing and the health of their customers," he said. "If I was a betting man, I'd predict within about five years this will be the standard."
The measure, if approved by both chambers and signed by Democratic Governor David Paterson, would ban sales of cigarettes in pharmacies and retail stores with pharmacies within them. A store could sell tobacco products if a wall and separate entrance was provided for the pharmacy.
(Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
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