The CVS next door to my work already doesn't sell cigarettes and hasn't for some time. I never thought much of it because I don't smoke. I might ask the manager if certain stores or markets had gone tobaccoless as a test run.
CVS ending cigarette sales
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Originally Posted By: DBMaster
This is further argument to me that healthcare needs to be completely divorced from the workplace. I
Agree 100%, employers have absolutely no business with peoples health care in any way, they should not be allowed to self insure under any circumstances.
I don't like the ACA either.
I like a hybrid that is used in some countries. Not employer or Government based but heavily regulated and overseen.
This is further argument to me that healthcare needs to be completely divorced from the workplace. I
Agree 100%, employers have absolutely no business with peoples health care in any way, they should not be allowed to self insure under any circumstances.
I don't like the ACA either.
I like a hybrid that is used in some countries. Not employer or Government based but heavily regulated and overseen.
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
Originally Posted By: strat81
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
The same thing exists already in the health insurance arena for smoking and other things.
Many plans charge members more if they are smokers... actually, I guess you get a discount if you don't smoke. Last time I checked, my gf's plan was at least double the cost is you smoked. They gave you 4 to 6 months notice to stop or you paid the higher premium next year.
What kind of plan is that? Invididual, group, something else?
I've been at my current employer for over eight years and I've never had to answer any questions about my health, exercise habits, smoking habits, etc. Based on the payroll deductions and insurance payments I review, every individual is charged the same premium regardless of age, smoker, etc.
Granted, this is a sample size of 1...
That the setup at a fairly large corporation in the NY/NJ area.
Just to be clear, the company never said you must tell us anything about your health or personal habits (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.). The company organized the benefits so that your cost every paycheck is X, but if you say you are not a smoker, it's X/2, or X-Y. There was nothing sold as individual employees are forced to pay more, but those that engage in this type of program pay less (granted IMO it's evident that some calculation was done that smokers cost more to insure on average then non-smokers so the company baked in some additional cost to a premium to then provide the discount to some portion of the workforce).
Honestly though this is one among many out there that I have seen.
- I know one company that lowered your deductible every year you went though preventative healthcare appointments (yes your deductible eventually went to zero).
- Health screenings for stuff like cholesterol, BMI, etc. - typically what I have seen is a lower premium if you engage in getting the test, though I know at least 1 company that will have it reflect in premiums in the future. (Pretty much spot on to what DBMaster outlined above.)
- "Sharing the risk" with the type of plan (PPO, HMO, HDHP) the last two companies I have been at engaged in that.
- Reflection in cheaper premiums, credits to an HSA, or credits to the employee for engaging in wellness activities (heat walks, gym membership, weight watchers, etc.).
Sounds like a good way to handle things. Thank you for sharing.
Originally Posted By: strat81
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
The same thing exists already in the health insurance arena for smoking and other things.
Many plans charge members more if they are smokers... actually, I guess you get a discount if you don't smoke. Last time I checked, my gf's plan was at least double the cost is you smoked. They gave you 4 to 6 months notice to stop or you paid the higher premium next year.
What kind of plan is that? Invididual, group, something else?
I've been at my current employer for over eight years and I've never had to answer any questions about my health, exercise habits, smoking habits, etc. Based on the payroll deductions and insurance payments I review, every individual is charged the same premium regardless of age, smoker, etc.
Granted, this is a sample size of 1...
That the setup at a fairly large corporation in the NY/NJ area.
Just to be clear, the company never said you must tell us anything about your health or personal habits (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.). The company organized the benefits so that your cost every paycheck is X, but if you say you are not a smoker, it's X/2, or X-Y. There was nothing sold as individual employees are forced to pay more, but those that engage in this type of program pay less (granted IMO it's evident that some calculation was done that smokers cost more to insure on average then non-smokers so the company baked in some additional cost to a premium to then provide the discount to some portion of the workforce).
Honestly though this is one among many out there that I have seen.
- I know one company that lowered your deductible every year you went though preventative healthcare appointments (yes your deductible eventually went to zero).
- Health screenings for stuff like cholesterol, BMI, etc. - typically what I have seen is a lower premium if you engage in getting the test, though I know at least 1 company that will have it reflect in premiums in the future. (Pretty much spot on to what DBMaster outlined above.)
- "Sharing the risk" with the type of plan (PPO, HMO, HDHP) the last two companies I have been at engaged in that.
- Reflection in cheaper premiums, credits to an HSA, or credits to the employee for engaging in wellness activities (heat walks, gym membership, weight watchers, etc.).
Sounds like a good way to handle things. Thank you for sharing.
What I hate most about the CVS stores in my area is how long it takes to check out. When somebody walks up and asks for Ciggy's, the already slow clerk has to walk over, unlock a cabinet and then clerk and customer do the back and forth shuffle trying to get the exact right brand. Then the clerk has to lock the cabinet back up come back over and ring them up.
Sometimes the clerk asks for the buyers birthdate, no matter how old looking the purchaser looks.
I frequently get asked for my birth date when buying beer, despite having salt and pepper in my goatee. It annoys me greatly. I tell them a year and if they ask for a month and date I tell them to choose anyone they want. Only some clerks ask, the one who always asks, I avoid, and she is scared of me.
Actually have no gone back inside for months now. If they want my business, they need to make it so I don't stand around for 5 minutes trying to pay for my purchase.
As for tobacco, sometimes if I am around a smoker I'll ask for one, If I'm not around a smoker I never even think about tobacco. I'd prefer if the product disappeared entirely.
Sometimes the clerk asks for the buyers birthdate, no matter how old looking the purchaser looks.
I frequently get asked for my birth date when buying beer, despite having salt and pepper in my goatee. It annoys me greatly. I tell them a year and if they ask for a month and date I tell them to choose anyone they want. Only some clerks ask, the one who always asks, I avoid, and she is scared of me.
Actually have no gone back inside for months now. If they want my business, they need to make it so I don't stand around for 5 minutes trying to pay for my purchase.
As for tobacco, sometimes if I am around a smoker I'll ask for one, If I'm not around a smoker I never even think about tobacco. I'd prefer if the product disappeared entirely.
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
My employer started adding a monthly surcharge for tobacco users about three years ago. They also started doing annual "health screenings." They measure weight, BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar, BP, triglycerides, etc. I knew that there was an ulterior motive behind it. This year we learned that starting with the 2015 benefit year they would be looking for "improvements" in any of those figures that were "outside the norms." If no improvement is seen it will be reflected in our health premiums.
Interesting. A few years ago my company started doing the screenings, just free clinics; they also hand out flu shots at the same time. Ding ding ding, what you pointed out makes sense: my company self-insures, so it would make sense to get an idea how the employees are doing. I'll be interested now to see if the future brings about what you mentioned.
Are you sure we don't work for the same company? Mine self-insures as well. Two years ago, participating in the health screening would lower your deductible by $500. I noticed a lack of reference to any deductible credit this time. Also, yes, they were giving out flu shots at the same time.
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
My employer started adding a monthly surcharge for tobacco users about three years ago. They also started doing annual "health screenings." They measure weight, BMI, cholesterol, blood sugar, BP, triglycerides, etc. I knew that there was an ulterior motive behind it. This year we learned that starting with the 2015 benefit year they would be looking for "improvements" in any of those figures that were "outside the norms." If no improvement is seen it will be reflected in our health premiums.
Interesting. A few years ago my company started doing the screenings, just free clinics; they also hand out flu shots at the same time. Ding ding ding, what you pointed out makes sense: my company self-insures, so it would make sense to get an idea how the employees are doing. I'll be interested now to see if the future brings about what you mentioned.
Are you sure we don't work for the same company? Mine self-insures as well. Two years ago, participating in the health screening would lower your deductible by $500. I noticed a lack of reference to any deductible credit this time. Also, yes, they were giving out flu shots at the same time.
I bought my stuff for years at a local mom & pop pharmacy. They knew my name and the service was awesome. Since my area has gone completely corporate the owner of that pharmacy couldn't find a buyer when he retired. He basically liquidated and the prescriptions were transferred to a nearby CVS. I do like ordering online and getting text messages when my one prescription a month is ready. But, the old place had no drive-through. I am sorry if you like them, but I really detest the fact that those who are too lazy to get out of their cars get preferential treatment. This particular CVS has five people working in the pharmacy and usually only one checkout person.
If they want to cater to those who cannot, or will not, leave their cars then they need to have additional counter help.
I rarely, if ever, but anything there that requires me to use the front checkout.
If they want to cater to those who cannot, or will not, leave their cars then they need to have additional counter help.
I rarely, if ever, but anything there that requires me to use the front checkout.
I certainly do not think that cigarettes are good for anybody (I don't smoke myself) but the CVS is still selling alcoholic beverages and junk food, right? But if somebody wants cigarettes they can go to one of these Smoker Friendly Stores.
It does get a little tiring when somebody somewhere is trying to make decisions that a person should be making on their own. And the so-called experts don't seem to know everything themselves. I still remember when coffee was being called bad for a person, then it was called good, and then bad again, etc. The experts can't seem to make up their minds. Maybe the experts do not really know everything like they think they do.
I kind of like the idea of freedom myself. If a person wants to eat pizza one day maybe they should be allowed to. But we go through these fads and sometimes somebody with political power somewhere decides that something, like soda drinks, should be limited in size.
It was kind of funny recently when it was discovered that a chemical was being used in Subway bread and now that chemical is being removed by Subway. But everybody was being told that Subway was a more healthy place to eat. I guess it will be a more healthy place to eat after they completely get rid of the chemical in the bread. Any other surprises there?
It does get a little tiring when somebody somewhere is trying to make decisions that a person should be making on their own. And the so-called experts don't seem to know everything themselves. I still remember when coffee was being called bad for a person, then it was called good, and then bad again, etc. The experts can't seem to make up their minds. Maybe the experts do not really know everything like they think they do.
I kind of like the idea of freedom myself. If a person wants to eat pizza one day maybe they should be allowed to. But we go through these fads and sometimes somebody with political power somewhere decides that something, like soda drinks, should be limited in size.
It was kind of funny recently when it was discovered that a chemical was being used in Subway bread and now that chemical is being removed by Subway. But everybody was being told that Subway was a more healthy place to eat. I guess it will be a more healthy place to eat after they completely get rid of the chemical in the bread. Any other surprises there?
Originally Posted By: Trav
Now the rest of the story.
They are hoping to become a health care provider.
I knew there was more to this than good public image. I will bet money this whole thing comes down like a house of cards.
Quote:
Still, the company’s stock fell today about 1.7 percent as of 11:17 a.m. to $65.00. The move is expected to cut 6 to 9 cents of revenue per share this year, and about 17 cents annually next year.
This is going to be interesting to watch i figured this was going to happen, i don't believe it will be short term either, investors may not going to share the vision of the misguided CEO.
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/cvs_tobacco_sales_2_billion_obama_health_care.html
Wow, that threw me off! They have the same layout as www.syracuse.com!
Now the rest of the story.
They are hoping to become a health care provider.
I knew there was more to this than good public image. I will bet money this whole thing comes down like a house of cards.
Quote:
Still, the company’s stock fell today about 1.7 percent as of 11:17 a.m. to $65.00. The move is expected to cut 6 to 9 cents of revenue per share this year, and about 17 cents annually next year.
This is going to be interesting to watch i figured this was going to happen, i don't believe it will be short term either, investors may not going to share the vision of the misguided CEO.
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/cvs_tobacco_sales_2_billion_obama_health_care.html
Wow, that threw me off! They have the same layout as www.syracuse.com!
Originally Posted By: Vikas
There is a slight difference between cigarette and alcohol or candy etc. In moderate quantity the later stuff is not harmful. That is not true for tobacco based product.
It doesn't matter one bit which is more harmful: CVS is simply responding to market pressure in order to serve the interests of their brand. If their market research indicated that consumers found M & M's objectionable they would take action to placate consumers. The only logic factoring into these types of decisions is the balancing act between supply, retail and consumer's interests in a free market.
There is a slight difference between cigarette and alcohol or candy etc. In moderate quantity the later stuff is not harmful. That is not true for tobacco based product.
It doesn't matter one bit which is more harmful: CVS is simply responding to market pressure in order to serve the interests of their brand. If their market research indicated that consumers found M & M's objectionable they would take action to placate consumers. The only logic factoring into these types of decisions is the balancing act between supply, retail and consumer's interests in a free market.
Originally Posted By: Mystic
I certainly do not think that cigarettes are good for anybody (I don't smoke myself) but the CVS is still selling alcoholic beverages and junk food, right?
As I mentioned previously, up here, we have various jurisdictions (mine included) that don't allow pharmacies to sell tobacco products. Some up here have pointed out the hypocrisy of selling stop smoking aids and tobacco in the same store.
Also, up here, tobacco probably has lower margins than in the States. Up here, even one missing pack of smokes can flush a whole day's margin down the toilet. Moving $50,000 in inventory on a weekly basis up here is not uncommon. Ten cents a pack profit is quite common. Selling tobacco here is more trouble than it's worth.
I certainly do not think that cigarettes are good for anybody (I don't smoke myself) but the CVS is still selling alcoholic beverages and junk food, right?
As I mentioned previously, up here, we have various jurisdictions (mine included) that don't allow pharmacies to sell tobacco products. Some up here have pointed out the hypocrisy of selling stop smoking aids and tobacco in the same store.
Also, up here, tobacco probably has lower margins than in the States. Up here, even one missing pack of smokes can flush a whole day's margin down the toilet. Moving $50,000 in inventory on a weekly basis up here is not uncommon. Ten cents a pack profit is quite common. Selling tobacco here is more trouble than it's worth.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
There is a slight difference between cigarette and alcohol or candy etc. In moderate quantity the later stuff is not harmful. That is not true for tobacco based product.
Are you sure about that because the medical and/or scientific profession isn't.
The question of how much of anything is too much even tobacco is the subject of endless debates.
When anyone questions the validity of their claims the dogooders and anti whatever haters go ballistic.
We will NEVER get the truth or any facts on anything be it tobacco, sugar, alcohol, salt or anything else instead just options of those with an agenda bias nothing more or less.
Look at nanny Bloomberg's shenanigans for one example.
Some interesting reading in this.
http://www.nycclash.com/triplerisk.html
There is a slight difference between cigarette and alcohol or candy etc. In moderate quantity the later stuff is not harmful. That is not true for tobacco based product.
Are you sure about that because the medical and/or scientific profession isn't.
The question of how much of anything is too much even tobacco is the subject of endless debates.
When anyone questions the validity of their claims the dogooders and anti whatever haters go ballistic.
We will NEVER get the truth or any facts on anything be it tobacco, sugar, alcohol, salt or anything else instead just options of those with an agenda bias nothing more or less.
Look at nanny Bloomberg's shenanigans for one example.
Some interesting reading in this.
http://www.nycclash.com/triplerisk.html
I agree completely with Trav on this. If people could keep their various agendas (and I mean all agendas, not just some) out of scientific research and medical research and decisions about food, alcohol, drugs, etc., maybe we would learn something.
First we get told one thing. Then we get told something else. The all meat diet. Good for you. The all vegetable diet. Good for you. People were meant to eat mostly vegetarian. No, people were meant to eat mostly meat. Coffee is bad for you. Coffee is good for. You need to drink this much water in a day. No that is not accurate.
It seems like some people are all for legalizing drugs. Until a big name actor dies from an overdose. Then suddenly the same people who talk about legalizing drugs want the pushers who supplied the drugs to the big name actor put in prison forever. I guess it depends on who the drugs affect.
There are people who want to ban E-cigarettes. But some of the same people are all for people being allowed to walk down the street smoking marijuana. The E-cigarettes are harmless. And if I had to make a choice I would prefer cigarette smoke to marijuana smoke.
I think there is adequate evidence that cigarette smoking can cause cancer. I bet marijuana smoking can do so also. But we want the marijuana smoking to be legal, right?
Too many fads and too many agendas and too many know-it-alls.
If CVS wants to stop selling cigarettes that is fine. They can sacrifice two billion dollars of income.
I am getting a little bit tired however of all of the 'experts' telling us what to eat and drink and how much soda I can drink. And when they start dictating to me what I can eat and drink and in what amount that is a wall for me. Because then personal freedom is being taken away.
I don't smoke. But if somebody wants to smoke that is their personal choice. As long as they don't bother me with their cigarette smoke I don't care. It is their decision if they want to risk lung cancer or not and their money for the cigarettes.
I try to eat as healthy as I can. But some of the foods suggested by the 'experts' are horrible and then a person finds out in a few years that the 'experts' were wrong. After a while you realize you are going to die someday anyway. Sure eat as healthy as you can. But enjoy yourself a little and live. And I don't want somebody dictating to me what I can eat and drink.
First we get told one thing. Then we get told something else. The all meat diet. Good for you. The all vegetable diet. Good for you. People were meant to eat mostly vegetarian. No, people were meant to eat mostly meat. Coffee is bad for you. Coffee is good for. You need to drink this much water in a day. No that is not accurate.
It seems like some people are all for legalizing drugs. Until a big name actor dies from an overdose. Then suddenly the same people who talk about legalizing drugs want the pushers who supplied the drugs to the big name actor put in prison forever. I guess it depends on who the drugs affect.
There are people who want to ban E-cigarettes. But some of the same people are all for people being allowed to walk down the street smoking marijuana. The E-cigarettes are harmless. And if I had to make a choice I would prefer cigarette smoke to marijuana smoke.
I think there is adequate evidence that cigarette smoking can cause cancer. I bet marijuana smoking can do so also. But we want the marijuana smoking to be legal, right?
Too many fads and too many agendas and too many know-it-alls.
If CVS wants to stop selling cigarettes that is fine. They can sacrifice two billion dollars of income.
I am getting a little bit tired however of all of the 'experts' telling us what to eat and drink and how much soda I can drink. And when they start dictating to me what I can eat and drink and in what amount that is a wall for me. Because then personal freedom is being taken away.
I don't smoke. But if somebody wants to smoke that is their personal choice. As long as they don't bother me with their cigarette smoke I don't care. It is their decision if they want to risk lung cancer or not and their money for the cigarettes.
I try to eat as healthy as I can. But some of the foods suggested by the 'experts' are horrible and then a person finds out in a few years that the 'experts' were wrong. After a while you realize you are going to die someday anyway. Sure eat as healthy as you can. But enjoy yourself a little and live. And I don't want somebody dictating to me what I can eat and drink.
Originally Posted By: Mystic
After a while you realize you are going to die someday anyway. Sure eat as healthy as you can. But enjoy yourself a little and live. And I don't want somebody dictating to me what I can eat and drink.
Smoking or not, weight 150 lbs or 450 lbs will not live forever.
After a while you realize you are going to die someday anyway. Sure eat as healthy as you can. But enjoy yourself a little and live. And I don't want somebody dictating to me what I can eat and drink.
Smoking or not, weight 150 lbs or 450 lbs will not live forever.
This is a trend with pharmacy's! Don't smoke but I know a couple other public companies that have done this.
Originally Posted By: Trav
We will NEVER get the truth or any facts on anything be it tobacco, sugar, alcohol, salt or anything else instead just options of those with an agenda bias nothing more or less.
Look at nanny Bloomberg's shenanigans for one example.
Truth: Trav speaks it.
We're experiencing that here in Nebraska with the Keystone XL pipeline. "The experts" say that the pipeline will poison the aquifer and subsequently destroy Nebraska, or, it will create tons of jobs, solve our energy problems, and cover the world with rainbows and unicorn farts.
I'm sure the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes. It's unfortunate that everyone has an agenda and obfuscates the truth.
We will NEVER get the truth or any facts on anything be it tobacco, sugar, alcohol, salt or anything else instead just options of those with an agenda bias nothing more or less.
Look at nanny Bloomberg's shenanigans for one example.
Truth: Trav speaks it.
We're experiencing that here in Nebraska with the Keystone XL pipeline. "The experts" say that the pipeline will poison the aquifer and subsequently destroy Nebraska, or, it will create tons of jobs, solve our energy problems, and cover the world with rainbows and unicorn farts.
I'm sure the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes. It's unfortunate that everyone has an agenda and obfuscates the truth.
Originally Posted By: Mystic
It was kind of funny recently when it was discovered that a chemical was being used in Subway bread and now that chemical is being removed by Subway. But everybody was being told that Subway was a more healthy place to eat. I guess it will be a more healthy place to eat after they completely get rid of the chemical in the bread. Any other surprises there?
Sure. They put so many preservatives on their produce that it gives sensitive folks a headache!
That place is a major league scam, there is NOTHING healthy there...
It was kind of funny recently when it was discovered that a chemical was being used in Subway bread and now that chemical is being removed by Subway. But everybody was being told that Subway was a more healthy place to eat. I guess it will be a more healthy place to eat after they completely get rid of the chemical in the bread. Any other surprises there?
Sure. They put so many preservatives on their produce that it gives sensitive folks a headache!
That place is a major league scam, there is NOTHING healthy there...
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