What Retailers Are Doing
Vermonters are taking a stand against the tobacco industry’s influence.
Watch the video and check
out the quotes below to see what these Vermonters are doing to reduce tobacco’s impact on the state’s
young people.
If you are a retailer interested in learning more or getting involved, contact us
at info@CounterBalanceVT.com
“We gave up selling tobacco well over 20 years ago. We promote healthcare and smoking is just so against that.”
Steve Hochberg
Owner & Pharmacist, Rutland Pharmacy
Rutland
“I’ve seen everyone who smokes struggle in the 21 years I’ve owned the store. I do not carry the one packet cigars or dip. I have chosen not to use any sandwich boards or posters or any other marketing tool that the tobacco companies have put out that I can pick up at a trade show or get through my distributors. Wouldn’t it be great to see the next generation of Vermont children tobacco-free?”
Vaneasa Sterns
Owner, Lincoln General Store
Lincoln
“In the last seven and a half years, a half a dozen of our regular customers who were cigarette smokers passed away. We decided to keep a limited selection, to display them as marginally as possible, and to do no secondary advertising — no posters, no plastic boxes, no kids’ characters of tobacco mascots.”
Brad Hartley
Vermont Energy Co
Ferrisburg
“I’ve been at the store for 61 years. My dad had a policy to never advertise or discount cigarettes. He never touched tobacco his whole life. I’ve kept that tradition all these years. I always discourage people from buying the products. I will not advertise it or discount it. I don’t want to see youth get hooked on something that’s going to be a real detriment to their health.”
Senator Dick Mazza
Owner, Dick Mazza’s General Store & State Senator
Colchester
“We decided to stop selling cigarettes. I really care about people’s health and I could not in good conscious sell cigarettes. Grocery stores, chain stores, they should all stop selling cigarettes. I would love to see the next generation of Vermont children tobacco-free.”
James Marmar
Woodstock Pharmacy
Ferrisburg
