Good But…

Everyone it seems praised CVS for their decision to stop carrying tobacco products by next October, even the American Cancer Society highlighted the move on their home page for a time. Industry experts, however, say that the strategy is less altruistic and more of a savvy marketing ploy indicating that CVS is trying to distinguish itself and stand above its competition by promoting its brand as a health care hub in a field that is increasingly relying on self-service. Indeed the reactions and press coverage do give every indication of this being a most successful public relation and marketing move, and begs a question: If their motives and concerns about health were genuine, would their decision mean that in the future we could expect that all products with high contents of sugar and sodium to equally be removed from their inventory? It’s not difficult to surmise that’s rather unlikely. Of course it’s obvious that their motives do not lessen the good removing tobacco products from their shelves can do. Nevertheless, we ought not to be fooled by the seeming altruism of their decision.