MI SR0169

Commends CVS Caremark for ceasing tobacco product sales at its 7,600+ U.S. stores by October 1, 2014, as the first national pharmacy chain to take this action.

Recognizes that 42 million Americans continue to smoke and notes that 90 percent of adult smokers begin at or before age 18, with an estimated 5.6 million children alive today projected to die from tobacco-related disease.

Notes that tobacco-related disease costs the health care system approximately $800 billion between 1995 and 2015, with Medicaid expenditures reaching up to $37.5 billion annually.

Acknowledges that reducing the density of stores selling tobacco helps reduce smoking among young people, and that CVS Caremark's decision aligns with pharmacies' evolving role in chronic disease management.

Directs that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to CVS Caremark as an expression of gratitude for launching a national smoking cessation program.