Ithaca Blog

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Wegman's Quits Smoking

Ever get a funny feeling walking through the supermarket, with all the advertising about health, and then walking past the counter where they sell cigarettes, to kill you?

Well, it won't happen anymore at Wegman's. This week, the supermarket chain announced it is quitting the tobacco business, ending cigarette sales at all its stores.

Not because the business isn't profitable, but because it isn't right.

The company will also start smoking cessation programs for its employees.

Wegman's is a privately-owned, regional chain with more latitude for such decisions than corporate chains. (See our previous posting on the value of independent businesses.)

Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog

No comments: