Stop & Shop Announces Plans to Stop Selling Tobacco Products

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

According to a statement, the grocer, which has stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, plans to end sales of all tobacco products in all stores by August 31 as part of the brand’s “commitment to community well-being.”

“Our responsibility as a grocer extends well beyond our aisles, and we are committed to taking bold action to help our associates, customers and communities work toward better health outcomes,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop.

“From our team of registered dietitians who serve our customers free of charge to our trained and trusted pharmacy associates, Stop & Shop is dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of the neighborhoods we serve – and this tobacco exit is another way we’re doing just that,” he continued.

Stop & Shop said a portion of its stores are considering stopping selling tobacco, with the store encouraging customers to quit smoking by hosting two cigarette buyback events on Aug. 28 in Boston and New York.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 780 million people worldwide want to quit smoking, but only 30% of them have access to the tools to do so.

According to WHO, tobacco use can lead to addiction and serious health problems.