Nation's second-largest drugstore chain, CVS Caremark is planningto stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 retail stores from 1 October, 2014.

CVS will become the first national pharmacy company to stop tobacco sales. The move to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products comes after years of pressure from public health advocates and medical providers. Activists have been urging the company to make tobacco products and advertising less available to younger consumers.

The company, which is one of the country's biggest healthcare companies, also said that it is giving up about $2 billion in annual sales or about 1.6 per cent of its total revenues. The company has been increasing its business providing medical care through its pharmacists and a growing network of urgent care clinics at its retail outlets.

Larry J. Merlo, the president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that, "As the delivery of healthcare evolves with an emphasis on better health outcomes, reducing chronic disease and controlling costs, CVS Caremark is playing an expanded role in providing care. Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

The company announced its decision to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products on Wednesday.