WASHINGTON, DC – The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) applauds the announcement by Medicine Shoppe International that hundreds of its U.S. Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy franchise locations will stop selling tobacco products. By removing tobacco products from its shelves, Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy join a growing movement among pharmacists and other health care providers to limit access to tobacco products.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, resulting in more than 480,000 deaths each year. Despite this, an estimated 43.8 million Americas still smoke. Every day, more than 3,200 American youth smoke their first cigarette, and it's estimated that more than 700 of those youth will become daily smokers.

“APhA is thrilled that hundreds of Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy locations either never have sold tobacco or are now establishing a policy to stop,” stated Thomas E. Menighan, APhA Executive Vice President and CEO. “APhA is opposed to the sale of tobacco in pharmacies, as demonstrated by significant policy urging the removal of tobacco products from pharmacies and facilities that include pharmacies. Pharmacists are health care providers, and as such, we cannot continue to sell products that are known health hazards. We applaud those pharmacists who step up to improve the health of our communities.”

If you are interested in quitting the use of tobacco products, APhA encourages you to talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists are trained in the latest smoking cessation techniques and are available to help you chose a product, understand how it works and possible adverse effects and coaching resources to increase treatment success.