CVS Quits Tobacco Sales Sooner than Planned

CVS drugstores are stopping tobacco sales one month earlier than planned.

In February, the pharmacy chain announced it would phase out tobacco products by Oct. 1. But the company was ready early so it moved up its quit date.

The company is replacing cigars and cigarettes with nicotine gum and other products that help people kick the habit.

CVS said it could no longer sell tobacco in a setting where health care is delivered, adding that such a move was hard to justify when trying to team up with hospital groups and doctors to help with patient care.

"We believe this reflects our broader health care commitment," the Chicago Tribune quoted company CEO Larry Merlo.

"What this says about CVS is that we're a pharmacy innovation company that is at the forefront of a changing health care landscape, and it helps us to play a bigger role in health care," he said.