The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) strongly support the decision by Stop & Shop to cease selling all tobacco products. Tobacco use causes chronic disease and premature death for our patients and for too long the tobacco industry has shamelessly marketed to children, underserved communities, and communities of color. These populations experience disproportionate harm from tobacco-related illnesses due to predatory marketing and limited access to cessation resources. The move aligns with several longstanding MMS policies aimed at protecting patients from the harm caused by tobacco products. By ridding its stores of tobacco products and offering cessation tools, the company reaffirms its commitment to improving public health for all residents of the Commonwealth, while supporting the ongoing efforts of physicians, legislators, and advocates toward reducing the deadly outcomes caused by smoking and tobacco products.
-Hugh Taylor, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
