AUBURN GRESHAM — The Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham, applauded pharmacy CVS' "bold move" in yanking cigarettes from its shelves but called on other retailers — including north suburban-based Walgreen Co. — to do the same.
"It would be good if Walgreens and other retailers would follow CVS and stop selling tobacco products, but I'm not sure if that will happen," Pfleger said Wednesday, when CVS officially stopped tobacco sales. In low-income "communities across the city there are an abundance of retailers selling tobacco and alcohol and [they] have no plans on stopping."
Officials with Walgreen Co. said it had no immediate plans to stop selling tobacco products.
Wendell Hutson spoke with several smokers, who plan to just go somewhere else:
"We believe that if the goal is to truly reduce tobacco use in America, then the most effective thing retail pharmacies can do is address the root causes and help smokers quit," said Jim Graham, a spokesman for the company. "With about 250,000 retail establishments selling tobacco products in America today, retail pharmacies comprise only 4 percent of overall tobacco sales."
Graham added that tobacco sales would continue even if his company followed CVS.
"A retail pharmacy ban on tobacco sales would have little to no significant impact on actually reducing the use of tobacco," Graham said.
But in a statement, CVS officials said it decided to end its sale of tobacco products to help reduce the number of smokers.
"CVS Health is always looking for ways to promote health and reduce the burden of disease," said Dr. Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer for CVS Health. "Putting an end to the sale of cigarettes and tobacco will make a significant difference in reducing the chronic illnesses associated with tobacco use."
Tobacco sales at CVS accounted for $2 billion annually, according to Mike DeAngelis, a spokesman for CVS Health.
There are 68 CVS stores in Chicago, including two in Auburn Gresham at 7858 S. Halsted St. and 8025 S. Ashland Ave. Both locations are surrounded by corner convenience stores that sell tobacco products and alcohol.
Pfleger said those convenience stores and gas stations would likely see a spike in business now that CVS no longer sold tobacco, he said.
"Economic power has to come from the community, not the businesses," Pfleger said. "If people stop buying these products it would hurt their bottom line and that's needed to drive problem businesses away."
At least for now, Auburn Gresham residents said they would just go elsewhere to get smokes.
"There are plenty of other places I can go to buy cigarettes. There's a liquor store across the street, convenience stores, gas stations, and guys on the street selling loose cigarettes," said Byron Bannisteo, 50.
Bud Smith, 63, said he avoided retails stores altogether.
"I never bought cigarettes from CVS anyway," Smith said. "Stores charge too much for cigarettes. I always buy my smokes off the street. It's cheaper that way."
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