NORWICH – In the ongoing battle to ward off the use of tobacco products, Smoke Free New York State is undertaking a new campaign to restrict the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies that sell them, including those in Chenango County.
The campaign, dubbed “Prescription for Change” by Tobacco Free NYS, targets the 52 percent of all pharmacies in the state that sell tobacco products. According to the organization’s website, tobacco sales in pharmacies raises ethical questions since tobacco is the only consumer product that can potentially kill at least one half of its long term users.
“What we are trying to do is educate the public, decision makers, stakeholders and local pharmacies about the message pharmacies are sending out,” explained James Mutabiilwa, coordinator for Tobacco Free Chenango. Mutabiilwa noted that only three pharmacies in the area currently sell tobacco products, two of which are the national drugstore chains in Greene and in Norwich.
“Pharmacies are part of the healthcare system and you have to wonder how tobacco products sold at pharmacies promotes health and well-being,” Mutabiilwa added. “We’re hoping this campaign can make a difference in places like Chenango. I’m hoping it might be a wake-up call.”
Earlier this month, Tobacco Free Chenango established four billboard signs in highly visible areas along the State Route 12 corridor including Brisben and the at north end of Norwich, where they will stay until March. The billboards have already provoked response from local citizens who voiced support for the campaign, said Mutabiilwa. Plans are to continue the campaign with print ads, and follow-up visits to schools and local businesses in the coming weeks while also reaching out to local pharmacists for additional support.
Tobacco Free New York State has also gathered the support of numerous health agencies, including the American Pharmacists Association, the Central New York Alcohol and Drug Association, the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, and the World Health Organization – all of which back the efforts to end the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies.
“It’s a conflict of interest for pharmacies, providers of healthcare, to also profit from the sale of tobacco,” Mutabiilwa said. “Tobacco sales in pharmacies are a significant temptation to those entering pharmacies to purchase nicotine cessation products, and you’ll commonly find the stop smoking products next to the tobacco products.”
According to Tobacco Free Chenango, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in New York State, causing illness expenses in New York State to exceed $8 billion annually and results in more than 25,400 deaths. A 2012 survey conducted by Tobacco Free Chenango found that 53.6 percent of adults in the area - 34.3 percent of who are current smokers - believe pharmacies should not be allowed to sell tobacco products. Smokers account for nearly 25 percent of the total Chenango County population
“Pharmacies are the face of neighborhood healthcare,” Mutabiilwa said. “Ending pharmacy tobacco sales will decrease its availability and contribute to de-normalizing its use.”