Table of Contents
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Regional supermarket operator Raley’s Co. is the latest retailer to halt sales of cigarettes.
Regional supermarket operator Raley’s Co. is the latest retailer to halt sales of cigarettes.
 |
The family-owned chain will stop selling tobacco products by the end of the month at its 128 Raley’s Bel Air Markets and Nob Hill Food stores in Northern California and Nevada, the company said.
"Raley’s decision to remove tobacco products is our next big step in ongoing efforts to provide healthier options and to raise awareness about health and wellness," the company said in a statement. "This decision was not based on any governmental pressure or reward. It was based on Raley’s commitment to the health and happiness of our customers. We care about our customers and the communities we serve."
The company will continue to sell tobacco products at its Food Source supermarkets, which are managed independently of the other supermarkets, Chelsea Minor, a company spokeswoman, told the Sacramento Bee.
The Raley’s move follows CVS Health’s decision last year to halt tobacco sales as it positions itself as a community health resource.
"This is not a decision that we’ve taken lightly," Raley’s said it its statement. "At Raley’s, we are committed to infusing life with health and happiness, and removing tobacco products is another example of that commitment. We have a dedicated health and sustainability leader on our team to further support our commitment to provide more healthy options for our customers."
Raley’s acknowledged that alcohol and sugary snacks, which it sells, are also associated with health problems, but said that "there is far less evidence at this time that consumption of sugary snacks and alcohol in moderation poses a significant health threat to healthy adults."
