Wegmans Stops Smoking
The Wegmans supermarket chain, based here in Rochester, New York, has announced that it will cease the sale of tobacco products in all its stores as of February 10.
The announcement was made to employees, and included an offer of help in quitting to employees who smoke.
Wegmans has been expanding in the Middle Atlantic states, including Maryland and Virginia. It will be interesting to see how this plays on Tobacco Road. You can buy wine in stores in that region, as well as smokes.
The spokeperson for the chain I heard on the radio this morning defended the choice of keeping alcoholic beverages thusly: You can drink in moderation and remain healthy. There is no known safe amount of tobacco smoke.
Wegmans has been changing for the last several years. Store brands have taken over shelf space from national brands. In some categories, product choices have narrowed. The Sunday ad often has more recipes and food hints than sale info. I find bare shelves where product ought to be in my weekly shopping expedition.
Policing smoking products is a pain in the butt. Wegmans may save more in the process than it loses in net profit when the costs of reporting, and the manager having to unlock the display for each purchase, are counted. Still, the concept of Wegmans as your one place to shop for all your food, beverage, pharmacy and deli needs is threatened.
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Can’t buy wine or beer in grocery stores in Maryland. Not selling tobacco products in NOVA or suburban MD shouldn’t be a problem. Smoking is virtually banned in MD unless you’re in a closet in your basement with your children in another state. The only people I see buying tobacco are…ahem…at the lower end of the socio-economic strata.
At least in Maryland you can get an abortion up to and during delivery of a full term baby for any reason. That’s what’s important.