Stop & Shop announces plans to stop selling tobacco products

QUINCY, Mass. (WLNE) — Stop & Shop has announced today that it will stop selling all cigarettes and tobacco products at its 360 stores.

According to a release, the grocery retailer with stores across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey plans to end sales of all tobacco products at all stores by August 31 as a part of the “brand’s commitment to community wellness.”

“Our responsibility as a grocer goes far beyond our aisles, and we are committed to taking bold steps to help our associates, customers, and communities work towards better health outcomes,” said Gordon Reid, Stop & Shop President.

“From our team of registered dietitians that serve our customers at no cost 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 one more way we’re accomplishing that goal,” he continued.

Stop & Shop said that a part of the stores plan to exit from selling tobacco, the store encouraging customers to quit smoking by hosting two cigarette buyback events on August 28 in Boston and New York.

According to the World Health Organization, worldwide about 780 million people want to quit smoking, but only 30 percent have access to the tools to do so.

Tobacco use can lead to tobacco dependence and serious health problems, according to WHO.