CVS has released a data that unveiled that its decision of not selling cigarettes has also affected cigarettes sales in all retailers in 13 states. Its action has brought a 1% drop in total cigarette sales in 13 states, where the pharmacy chain is having a significant market share.

When CVS announced its decision of not selling cigarettes last year, public health officials and President Obama have praised the action. It is said that the action was being taken to have an image of an all-round health-care provider.

For the assessment, CVS has put together cigarette sales from 6 different types of stores- drug stores, grocers, big box, dollar, convenience and gas stations. The sales were compared in 13 states, where CVS had at least 15% of the pharmacy market to three states where no CVS branches were present.

Some anti-tobacco groups have termed the decline to be significant. The groups have asked other retailers to follow CVS. There are some who have raised doubts that the retailer could claim all the credit for a drop in sales as smoking rates are already declining in the United States.

Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer for CVS Health, said that many people have thought that if CVS would not sell cigarettes then buyers would go to another shop. But they have noticed that by removing a convenient place to buy cigarettes, an overall impact has been witnessed on sales of tobacco products.

Smoking continues to be one of the most preventable causes of death and disease in the nation. It is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths a year. Currently, around 42 million in America still smoke.