Shoppers can no longer buy cigarettes or tobacco products at Stop & Shop, as the grocery chain has decided to eliminate these items from its stores.

The grocery store chain, which is headquartered in Massachusetts, announced on Monday that it will stop selling tobacco products across all 360 of its locations. This includes stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, with plans to complete the withdrawal by Saturday.

Stop & Shop is not the sole retailer to cease tobacco sales. Target began this practice in 1996, followed by Wegmans in 2008 and CVS in 2014. Walmart also declared in 2022 that it would stop selling cigarettes in some of its stores.

In a press statement, Stop & Shop explained that this decision reflects its “commitment to community wellness.”

“Stop & Shop aims to enhance the health and well-being of the communities we serve, and removing tobacco products is another step to achieve that,” stated Gordon Reid, the President of Stop & Shop.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking results in over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

Moreover, smoking is responsible for approximately 90% of lung cancer deaths, with more women succumbing to lung cancer each year than to breast cancer, as reported by the CDC.

Additionally, smoking can lead to cancers in various body regions, including the bladder, blood, cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, kidneys, stomach, and others.

Grocery chain hosts trade-in program for those wanting to quit smoking

According to company information, both locations for the events are situated in areas where smoking rates and related health problems are prevalent.

The first 100 customers who brought in an unopened pack or carton of cigarettes received a Stop & Shop gift card, along with SkinnyPop popcorn and assorted snacks, mints, resources to assist with quitting smoking, and $10 off coupons for nicotine-replacement products.

A company representative noted that the response was positive, with numerous customers returning cigarettes on behalf of family and friends, hoping to aid them in quitting.

Stop & Shop collaborated with the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to carry out these events.

“Everyone, from local governments to schools and businesses, plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health,” stated Karen Knudsen, the CEO of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We call on state lawmakers to prioritize funding for tobacco control programs so those inspired by this initiative can access the resources necessary for success.”