New York State may ban tobacco sales in all drugstores, supermarkets and stores like Walmart..

April 22, 2009 - New York could become the first state to ban cigarettes in drugstores as well as in supermarkets and big-box stores like Wal-Mart that have pharmacies.

Measures similar to the bill gaining ground in New York have already been enacted in cities such as San Francisco and Boston.

The bill in Albany would be the first comprehensive statewide ban, according to Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, a Buffalo Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill. New York would follow the example set by San Francisco, which in September became the first city in the United States to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in some pharmacies.

In January, Boston adopted one of the toughest tobacco bans in the country, banning cigarette sales in drugstores and on college campuses. The measure in New York, if approved, would ban sales of cigarettes in pharmacies and retail stores with pharmacies within them. A store could sell tobacco products if a wall and separate entrance were provided for the pharmacy.

In New York Wegmans Food Markets and DeCicco Markets have discontinued the sale of tobacco products at their stores. Target Stores do not sell tobacco products.

Reference: New York considering pharmacy/supermarket tobacco ban by: Alaina Scott, Senior Editor, Drug Topics E-News, 4/21/2009; Cigarette Sale Socialism?
N.Y. state bill would ban cigarette sales in drug stores, retailers with pharmacies, CSP Daily News, 4/22/2009.