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CVS becomes first big US drugstore chain to drop tobacco

Someone mentioned Walmart may stop selling. What I don't understand is why are their cigarettes so expensive in the store but their gas stations are the normal prices?
 
This is very true - they did a study here in Toronto of cigarette butts around highschools and found that something like 70-80% of the butts were from contraband cigarettes, not legally sold ones. It's why I believe the actual incidence of youth smoking is higher than studies would indicate.
The thing about studies is they require honest answers, I don't know many teens who would honestly say they smoke for a couple of reasons, the first being the public shame campaign on right now but the second and most important is their parents would kill them.
 
Someone mentioned Walmart may stop selling. What I don't understand is why are their cigarettes so expensive in the store but their gas stations are the normal prices?
Gasoline is a low margin item, but while you're filling up they hope you will notice the higher margin items and make additional purchases.
 
Big tobacco, at least here in Canada, has been diversifying for some time now - they won't be gone anytime soon, for two very good reasons. 1. The tax revenue from tobacco sales keeps many jurisdictions in revenue, and 2. Who better to take over large scale production and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana.
People really don't understand that there is no killing the tobacco companies. Like Nabisco? Phillip Morris/RJReynolds thanks you for the business. Some of the Nabisco companies have been diversified like Kraft BUT, the "altria group" owns the bulk of the companies. ;)
 
Let's go to Chick-Fil-A as mentioned above. They're not open on Sundays. I tend to think that their desire to "balance work and family life" (the idea behind this) counteracts with the profit motive. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't suffer a loss by opening on Sunday.
If anything they would make a killing on Sundays, after church a lot of families like to treat themselves to a restaurant.
 
Gasoline is a low margin item, but while you're filling up they hope you will notice the higher margin items and make additional purchases.

Ok what I'm asking is why are cigarettes more expensive in Walmart than their own gas stations though when in general Walmart charges the same amount or a bit less for other goods and items including other items bad for you like beer?
 
If anything they would make a killing on Sundays, after church a lot of families like to treat themselves to a restaurant.

Very true, and with their public stances, a lot of religious moralists would dine there just out of support. Doesn't hurt that the chicken sandwiches are hella good too.
 
Ok what I'm asking is why are cigarettes more expensive in Walmart than their own gas stations though when in general Walmart charges the same amount or a bit less for other goods and items including other items bad for you like beer?
First is the actual federal, state, and local taxes. That sets the minimum to around 4.50 a pack by mandate, then, you are already there so they hit you with the convenience charge, since tobacco is so addictive, you are a captive buyer. Short answer is "because they can".
 
Very true, and with their public stances, a lot of religious moralists would dine there just out of support. Doesn't hurt that the chicken sandwiches are hella good too.
Yep. The only reason they close is ownership wants to give their employees the choice of going to church or otherwise enjoying their Sunday as a day of rest, all principle and I do respect that.
 
Well.....even Obama's lil buddy had to chime in with it too.



CVS Tobacco Ban Earns Applause From Rahm.....

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"I think this is an incredible ... bold decision, the right decision," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said after Wednesday's City Council meeting.

Emanuel said he had called CVS Chief Executive Officer Larry Merlo Wednesday morning to congratulate him on the move.

"He realized their mission is one of health care, not only as a pharmacy, but as a company," Emanuel said. "And you couldn't, in one aisle, be dealing with helping people on their health, and in another aisle be selling tobacco."

Emanuel called it "true corporate citizenship and responsibility," even as "it will no doubt affect their bottom line.".....snip~

CVS Tobacco Ban Earns Applause From Rahm - Downtown - DNAinfo.com Chicago

OMG MMC, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. That's such bull****. Yes, a lot of handwringing, lost sleep and consultations with the pastor preceded this very hard, "bold" move to put the health of his customers over the bottom line. I doubt the CEO has the unilateral authority to make such a decision, many others with thick skin in this move have determined that the political accolades/attention will result in an offset of any loss in revenue.
 
So do you think a giant corporation makes such decisions because 'it's the right thing to do?'

Of course they do. But the right thing.......................................? For them, for the public, for stockholders???
 
Of course they do. But the right thing.......................................? For them, for the public, for stockholders???

For-profit corps are out for one thing... profits. Their service to the public comes thru philanthropic organizations that give back to the communities where they make their money. (Walmart Foundation gave $1B in 2012)

CVS is just the first to climb on the Obamacare Wagon. Watch for more choices to be taken away 'for our own good.'
 
Someone mentioned Walmart may stop selling. What I don't understand is why are their cigarettes so expensive in the store but their gas stations are the normal prices?

Walmart's cigarettes have always been high... and hard to buy (single lane access). I was told it's become Sam Walton didn't want to encourage smokers. IOW, a common-sense blend of discouraging smokers while still offering the product for sale.

They have a large selection of e-cigs at WallyWorld now. Same logistic problem, but they are available. CVS has never sold e-cigs. Now I know why.
 
Right Wingers should be applauding that a private business is making their own decisions.

As long as they did it without being leaned on, they should be able to run their business as they see fit. Unfortunately, left wingers will be upset if it wasn't a decision they were forced to make by the government. And there in lies the problem.
 
For-profit corps are out for one thing... profits. Their service to the public comes thru philanthropic organizations that give back to the communities where they make their money. (Walmart Foundation gave $1B in 2012)

CVS is just the first to climb on the Obamacare Wagon. Watch for more choices to be taken away 'for our own good.'

I understand that. But that's not how it's being presented. Did you see MMC's post? Gotta keep healthcare costs down, remember its the "affordable" care act. A lot of money's spent on smoking related illnesses.
 
To each his own.
I quit smoking 30 years ago.
But I don't preach about what others do and come off hypocritical about it, not that you are.
I am a former smoker and it takes stopping with smoking to realize how disgusting it actually is. My next door neighbor smoked a lot and everytime we went to their how and came home I could smell the stink of smoke on my clothes. When I too smoked I did not realize how badly it smelled.

Not that I am an extreme anti-smoker but I do think that it is good to ban smoking from shops, bars, restaurants etc.

What people do in their own house or car is their choice and I will not interfere with that but as a person with COPD I try to stay away from people where smoking takes place and try to prevent driving with someone who smokes.
 
IIRC you were in the Lafayette area for a while. Prior to the state banning most indoor smoking the same people campaigning for that law would contract bars to have "smoke free Saturdays". They had to rent out the bar to get it done, that in itself should tell people the movement isn't as popular as advertised. One would think if the bar owner who's business is to know what the customers want has to be "bought out" for the night to prohibit smoking that he knew it was a loser.

I remember Moon talking about that.
 
To each his own.
I quit smoking 30 years ago.
But I don't preach about what others do and come off hypocritical about it, not that you are.
I have occasional slip ups but am quitting cigs specifically. I'm using the e-cigs right now with a lot of success but every once in a while have a cigarillo, clove, sometimes break down and buy a pack, but never giving up cigars. I find that I feel better with the current pace and for sure don't miss feeling compelled to have an inventory count and have to run to the store to buy a pack but I feel the same way, if people choose to smoke more power to them.
 
Btw, I smoked for the first time a few weeks ago, the four or five a day that I know the body can clean--haven't since.
I couldn't finish a whole cig, and had to sit down from spinning out.

Back in the day when cigs were so cheap in the 70's,
the brothers at college showed me how to strip the end of a cig and reload it with other "stuff".
I have occasional slip ups but am quitting cigs specifically. I'm using the e-cigs right now with a lot of success but every once in a while have a cigarillo, clove, sometimes break down and buy a pack, but never giving up cigars. I find that I feel better with the current pace and for sure don't miss feeling compelled to have an inventory count and have to run to the store to buy a pack but I feel the same way, if people choose to smoke more power to them.
 
Btw, I smoked for the first time a few weeks ago, the four or five a day that I know the body can clean--haven't since.
I couldn't finish a whole cig, and had to sit down from spinning out.

Back in the day when cigs were so cheap in the 70's,
the brothers at college showed me how to strip the end of a cig and reload it with other "stuff".
It definitely changes if you take a break, noticed that myself.
 
Btw, I smoked for the first time a few weeks ago, the four or five a day that I know the body can clean--haven't since.
I couldn't finish a whole cig, and had to sit down from spinning out.

Back in the day when cigs were so cheap in the 70's,
the brothers at college showed me how to strip the end of a cig and reload it with other "stuff".

Not quite a blunt.
 
Actually stealing cigarettes is a major problem since it is one of the hardest addictions to buck. Recently they lost a truckload from a truckstop between here and Chicago. Which people exactly do you think Obama has made it possible to get rich off sick Americans? We do have the most expensive healthcare system in the world and have for decades, why has it just started bothering the conservatives? Now specifically exactly who are you talking about?
Doubt if security was a problem since they sell powerful narcotics in their stores. But you're right... I'm sure Obama didn't force them to do anything. He just made it possible for more people to get rich off sick Americans. Let's hear it for Obama.
 
Pointing out it may be a bad business decision doesn't mean someone's suggesting its wrong of them to be able to make the decision.

McDonalds should be free to stop selling fried food if they'd like....and me saying such a business move would be a poor one wouldn't counter such an idea

You should tell that to the Fox News lady who seemed to wonder whether it's legal for CVS to do this.
 
Very true, and with their public stances, a lot of religious moralists would dine there just out of support. Doesn't hurt that the chicken sandwiches are hella good too.

But the religious ultramoralists would abandon them for being open on Sunday.... hmmm...

Solution: Put a big crucifix and one of those holy water thingies next to the ordering counter. You're not at a fast food place, you're at church!
 
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