Stop & Shopthe 360 Supermarkets in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey will stop selling tobacco by August 31, 2024 as part of their commitment to community well-being. The retailer will also two Cigarette buyback campaigns in neighborhoods within their market area where smoking rates and smoking-related health problems are higher.

“Our responsibility as a grocer extends far beyond our shelves, and we are committed to taking bold steps to help our associates, customers and communities achieve better health outcomes,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop, in a statement. “Stop & Shop aims to support the health and well-being of the neighborhoods we serve – and this exit from the tobacco business is another way to achieve that goal.”

Only one major national retailer, CVS Caremarkhas banned all tobacco products from its stores. The chain took this step in September 2014, when then-CEO Larry J. Merlo said that “the sale of tobacco products is not consistent with our goal.” In April 2019 Rite Aid stopped selling e-cigarettes and vaping products and together with another pharmacy retailer WalgreensIt increased the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 To 21 years old.

The Stop & Shop cigarette buybacks will take place on August 28th at the Grove Hall, Boston Store and at the Stop & Shop at 1351 Forest Ave. in Staten Island, NY. The first 100 Customers who bring an unopened pack or carton of cigarettes will receive a Stop & Shop gift card and a bag of healthy snacks, mints, smoking cessation materials created in partnership with the American Cancer Society, and $10 Discount vouchers for Nicoretteprovided by Haleon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 780 million People all over the world want to quit smoking, but 30% there is no access to the appropriate tools.