Walgreens, Rite Aid increases the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21
Walgreens has risen the smallest age to buy tobacco for 21 years after receiving FDA criticism earlier this year to sell tobacco products to minors.
The policy will be implemented throughout the chain from September 1, announced the drug trading company in a press release on Tuesday, and called the change "the last step in a continuous effort to prevent youth access to tobacco products". [19659002] "We have seen positive results from other recent measures to strengthen our tobacco sales policies and believe that this next step can be even more effective in reducing the use of teenagers and young adults," said Walgreens CEO Richard Ashworth. "Through continuous training and certification for pharmacists and technicians, we also continue to help and support people who want to stop using tobacco in their lives."
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In March, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb Walgreens accused of being a top-runner among pharmacists selling tobacco products, cigarettes, non-smoking tobacco and e-cigarettes, to minors, according to The Associated Press, since 2010, inspectors found 1800 cases where Walgreens stores violated the law.
At that time, Walgreens spokesman Jim Cohn said the company banned sales to minors and that employees violating this policy would be fired immediately. Walgreens has more than 9,500 stores in the United States, according to the AP.
Later Tuesday, Rite Aid announced that it would also increase the age of buying tobacco to 21 chain teasers. Rite Aids new policy comes into effect in 90 days.
Rite Aid Corporation, CEO Bryan Everett, describes the move as an important step to ensure that tobacco does not fall into the hands of children and teenagers.
"Our decision is directly related to research by the National Survey on Drugs Use and Health showing that over 80 percent of adult smokers smoked their first cigarette before becoming 18, and nearly 95 percent started before 21 years: Everett said in a statement. "By increasing the buying age, we promote our commitment to promoting responsible access to tobacco products. "
The new policy addresses the recent years of states and municipalities to limit tobacco sales to customers 21 and older, according to Walgreens.
