As someone who worked in the tobacco industry for awhile and who smoked for more than a decade before I finally quit, I personally have to applaud Wegmans. They just announced that as of February 10, 2008 they will stop selling all tobacco products. They have already stopped ordering all tobacco and are only selling the inventory that they have on hand.This has led to many different reactions from their customers. Some are pleased and some feel that their right to make a choice has been denied them. Wegmans feels that they don't want to play a role in this area. "As a company, we respect a person's right to smoke, but we also understand the destructive role smoking plays in health," said Danny Wegman, CEO. Wegmans has already been charging up to 50% more for cigarettes than other stores, primarily since they do not accept promos or advertising from the tobacco companies in their stores. Wegmans operates 71 stores: 49 in New York State, 12 in Pennsylvania, 7 in New Jersey, 2 in Virginia and one in Maryland. Wegmans has $4.1 billion in sales in 2006 and employs over 36,000 people.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-05-2008 @ 3:47PM
Lonnie said...
Outstanding decision...
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1-06-2008 @ 6:07AM
Paul said...
That is a great decison. Hopefully other chains will follow their lead.
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1-06-2008 @ 8:32PM
kait said...
I find this a bit hypocritical as Wegmans still sells Alcoholic beverages.....
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1-08-2008 @ 8:24AM
mark said...
Alcoholic beverages have health benefits when used in moderation, and also are a food item. There is not a single benefit to using tobacco.
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1-20-2008 @ 8:40PM
Sunshine said...
Pathetic, may as well remove milk, eggs, butter, meat, bacon, sugar products, artificial food additives, this list can go on and on ........ Of course we all have freedom of choice here in America, when will we loose this next? People will just shop elsewhere for their smokes. Hope they don't have a pharmacy, alot of prescribed medication also kills.......
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2-28-2008 @ 3:34PM
Stephanie said...
Sunshine, it's not about people not buying tobacco products anymore. Anyone with a brain knows they will buy them elsewhere. It just takes a little more brains than you have to realize they are doing this to make a point as well as to do the right thing. They value the health of their customers. Hope I brightened your day!
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