Promoting Tobacco Cessation in Pharmacies
Statement of ANA Position
ANA recognizes that tobacco use in the US is the largest cause of preventable death1 and that tobacco cessation is the single most important action an individual can take for their health2. Early surveys show that when pharmacies stop selling tobacco products, tobacco use decreases in surrounding areas. Just as health care facilities across the nation have become tobacco-free campuses, pharmacies and other drug store retailers must follow suit.
Registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, typical health care professionals employed in pharmacies, are dedicated to promoting healing and better health. Although it is abhorrent to the nursing profession to work where tobacco products are advertised and sold daily, pharmacies often offer affordable, convenient, and accessible health care to surrounding communities. Pharmacies and drug stores must be invested in promoting public health.
To that end, ANA recommends that all pharmacies and drug store retailers stop selling tobacco and electronic cigarette products. Furthermore, ANA recommends that health care providers employed by pharmacies and drug store retailers receive tobacco cessation education and training to support customers. In closing, ANA applauds the one national retailer who has acted on these critical public health actions, CVS.
1CDC. Fast Facts Tobacco and Smoking Cessation (2014)
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/