New York State Health Commissioner urges supermarkets to remove

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), Apr 4, 2008

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., urged New York State supermarkets to be good neighbors and stop selling tobacco products, according to a release issued by the State of New York Department of Health.

In a full-page ad in a major upstate newspaper, Commissioner Daines appealed to stores to discontinue the advertising and sale of tobacco products, following the lead of three food market chains that have already done so.

"Grocery stores are very important members of the community and New Yorkers need their leadership on this issue," Daines said. "This is the only product being sold by food markets that, when used as intended, will kill their customers and increase the number of those dying from devastating diseases like cancer."

The ad was placed Wednesday to coincide with the national "Kick Butts Day," when youth are encouraged to speak up and take action against tobacco use at more than 2,000 events from coast to coast. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to the in-store displays, banner and window signs, and in-store promotional signage of supermarkets and other venues.