The chain announced the move on Monday, Aug. 26, after partnering with the American Cancer Society to improve community health, Stop & Shop CEO Gordon Reid said in a statement.
Our responsibility as a grocer extends far beyond our shelves, and we are committed to taking bold steps to help our associates, customers and communities achieve better health outcomes. From our team of board-certified dietitians who serve our customers free of charge to our trained and trusted pharmacy associates, Stop & Shop aims to support the health and well-being of the neighborhoods we serve — and this exit from tobacco is another way we’re achieving that goal.
The company said the last day to purchase tobacco products in its stores would be Saturday, August 31.
Stop & Shop is the latest major chain to quit smoking. Major retailers Walmart, CVS, Wegmans and Price Chopper have also stopped selling tobacco products.
The American Cancer Society said this move would help prevent nicotine addiction among children.
“This is a step in the right direction toward ending the tobacco industry’s influence on children, and we know more can be done to reduce the impact of tobacco use in our communities,” said Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, in a statement. “From state and local governments to schools and businesses, we can all do our part to protect public health.”
To help some customers quit smoking or using tobacco products, Stop & Shop announced it would conduct a “cigarette buyback” at two stores on Wednesday, August 28.
The first 100 customers to return an unopened pack or carton of cigarettes at the Stop & Shop in Dorchester at 460 Blue Hill Ave. or 1351 Forest Ave. on Staten Island, New York, will receive a $10 discount coupon for Nicorette and a bag of healthy snacks or mints.
Stop & Shop has stores in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Quincy and get free news updates.
