UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Responds to CVS Caremark’s Decision to Stop Selling Tobacco Products

MD Anderson News Release February 05, 2014

MD Anderson News Release 02/05/14

Today, CVS Caremark, the company that operates 7,600 CVS stores nationwide, announced the bold decision to stop selling tobacco products before the end of the year. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center applauds this decision. MD Anderson President Ron DePinho, M.D., today released the following statement:

“We’re incredibly pleased with CVS Caremark’s decision and applaud their bold move to combat cancer and the many other serious diseases caused by smoking.

Approximately 440,000 Americans die each year due to smoking-related diseases. One powerful way to reduce this human cost is to reduce the availability of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

We urge other pharmacies, grocery stores and retail outlets to follow suit. Decisions such as this will help save lives, reduce heartbreak for countless American families and save health care dollars.” 

Ron DePinho, M.D.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center