Published: April 3, 1997
AREA DRUGSTORES
OUTRANK
STATE IN TOBACCO
San Jose - You're more likely to find pharmacies pushing tobacco in Silicon Valley than elsewhere in California, especially at chain drugstores. That's according to a new survey released by the Tobacco Control Coalition of Santa Clara County.
Conducted under the direction of the California Medical Associations' Pharmacy Partnership Program, the coalition survey revealed that 63 percent of pharmacies in Santa Clara County sell tobacco products. That compares to the statewide average of 54 percent, according to the partnership. When grocery stores with pharmacies are included in the number of drugstores selling tobacco, the overall percentage of those selling tobacco increases to 66 percent.
"It's shameful when pharmacies sell tobacco," said Roger P. Kennedy, M.D., chairman of the Tobacco Control Coalition of Santa Clara County. "Those of us in health care should know better. That's why the coalition is contacting all pharmacies. We want voluntary agreements to stop selling tobacco
Chains vs. Independents
An analysis of those pharmacies selling tobacco reveals a striking difference
between chain drugstores and independent pharmacies. All of the chain
pharmacies surveyed by the coalition sell tobacco except for Savco Drugs
and the Longs Drugs at 15690 Los Gatos Blvd. The statewide average for
chain pharmacies selling tobacco is 90 percent, according to the partnership.
In contrast, almost all the independent pharmacies in Santa Clara County do not sell tobacco. Only four independent pharmacies surveyed sell tobacco products, or 8 percent, significantly lower than the state average of 27 percent. Surprisingly, the only independent pharmacy selling tobacco, Disco Rex Pharmacy, is in Palo Alto, a place better known for its leadership in tobacco-free causes.
The coalition survey also found that, except for Payless Drugs, the pharmacy chains selling tobacco did not actively promote tobacco sales with advertising or prominent placement of tobacco products.
The survey of all known pharmacies in Santa Clara County was conducted by site visits between October and December 1996 by the Tobacco Control Coalition of Santa Clara County. It included 82 chain drug stores, 12 grocery stores with pharmacies, and 49 independent pharmacies.
Editor's Note:
Disco Rex Pharmacy stopped selling tobacco products in May 1998.