Stop & Shop announced this week that it will no longer sell tobacco products in its stores in Rhode Island, a move that is being applauded by Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).
The decision is being made in a bid to “limit access to addictive and harmful tobacco products while diminishing their visibility and marketing in high-traffic public places,” the department said in a statement.
“Actions speak louder than words,” said Governor Dan McKee. ” I applaud Stop & Shop for making this decision to support the overall wellness of our state and, ultimately, improve public health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders.”
Dr. Jerome Larkin, RIDOH Director, said: “We commend Stop & Shop for joining other Rhode Island retailers who are committed to fostering tobacco-free communities. Retailers, especially grocery stores, are an important part of every community. When retailers make the decision to remove harmful tobacco products from their shelves, they promote the health of all the people and all of the communities they serve.”
The decision is expected to have a positive impact on the health of the people of Rhode Island, who are exposed to an estimated 1,800 tobacco-related deaths each year. “Stop & Shop will become one less place that Rhode Islanders, particularly youth, are exposed to tobacco products and marketing, which can influence their decision to start using tobacco,” Larkin added. “For adults trying to quit, it’s already hard enough, and now food shopping can be less stressful as they work to protect their health.”
In Rhode Island, free, effective, customized, and confidential help is available for adults and youth interested in quitting:
– Adults can contact QuitNowRI (the Rhode Island Nicotine Helpline): text START to 300500, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or visit QuitNowRI.com.
– Español: llame 1-800-8-DEJALO o envíe un mensaje de texto la palabra “INSCRIBIR” al 300500.
– Youth can contact My Life, My QuitTM: text START to 36072, call 855-891-9989, or visit MyLifeMyQuit.com.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
