Why do pharmacies sell tobacco?

People do not expect to be able to purchase cigarettes or other tobacco products when they visit their doctors' or dentists' offices. Yet, they can buy tobacco products at many pharmacies.

"As consumers know, most community pharmacies carry a wide range of products--from bubblegum to motor oil--in addition to prescription medications and health products," notes Karen Farris, associate professor of clinical and administrative pharmacy, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Iowa City. "On principle, however, pharmacies should not be selling tobacco."

Farris surveyed community pharmacies to determine whether they sold tobacco and how often they provided information on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other products to help patients stop smoking. Of the pharmacies surveyed (independent operations, chain stores, and those in food stores and mass merchandise outlets) almost 55% did not sell tobacco. Of those, the majority were smaller, independent operations. This is not surprising, Farris points out, since the decision whether or not to carry tobacco products typically rests with the pharmacist.

"It seems that the bigger stores may be looking at the bottom line or customer convenience with regard to selling or not selling tobacco products," she says. "Pharmacists at these stores probably have little or no control over the matter, and we understand that this could put some pharmacists in a difficult situation with their employers."

Almost all of the pharmacies surveyed carried NRTs and other nonprescription products to help people stop using tobacco. More than half of the pharmacists maintain that they counsel patients about NRTs when they are purchased. Some of the pharmacies even limited access to NRTs in order to foster more interaction with patients interested in these products.

Some pharmacists always have assisted their patients' attempts to stop smoking, and Farris encourages individuals who go to tobacco-free pharmacies to tell their pharmacist they are happy with the decision. "With the help of interested consumers and a focus on keeping patients healthy, all pharmacies can become tobacco free."

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