# CVS dumps cigarettes, keeps homeopathic remedies **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2014, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482 "2014-09-25T00:59:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/21 "2014-09-25T12:26:49Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m not a fan of homeopathics; I don’t use them or recommend them, but I do feel like if people want their placebos, they’re welcome to them. Whether or not they work, they are at least in line with CVS’s image as a store concerned with health This should actually be the point as far as CVS or any other drugstore that sells magic water. It’s _not_ in line with your desired image as a place concerned with people’s health. It’s very much in line with the image of exploiting people to sell them a fake remedy, and an indication that evidence-based health care is not your concern. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/22 "2014-09-25T12:34:09Z")
Um, if you outlaw homeopathic medicine, only outlaws will be homeopaths? (Well, it works for guns!) ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/23 "2014-09-25T12:57:26Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I need to get out of the actual drug products business and into the homeopathy/supplements business. No FDA oversight and easy money from gullible morons. Just make sure your claims aren’t too specific, like [essential oils cure Ebola](http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2014/ucm416023.htm). Well, minimal oversight. Since DSHEA things have been moving in the right direction, if slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/24 "2014-09-25T14:28:12Z")
I get the OP’s dislike for homeopathic products, but still, if I were to come home and tell my wife that I’d quit smoking, I guess I wouldn’t expect to be berated because I still leave my socks on the floor. > [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I don’t know how it is there, but CVS in the US isn’t just a pharmacy…it’s a convenience store too, so they’ve got food, drinks, cleaning supplies, paper products, toys, electronics, and all sorts of stuff. So, it sort of makes sense from that standpoint that they would sell cigarettes, because they sell all sorts of other non-medical stuff too. They’re trying to rebrand themselves as minor medical clinics (vaccinations, etc.), and they decided that cigarettes don’t fit that image. Presumably, their decision isn’t likely to decrease cigarette consumption at all; it’s just going to drive that business to supermarkets and convenience stores. It’s a bit of a gamble for CVS as to whether the anticipated clinical revenue will make up the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/25 "2014-09-25T14:48:37Z")
Ehh…I get the OP’s point, and there is some hypocrisy there, but if you were given the power to eliminate one product from the world with the goal of improving health, I’d argue that getting rid of cigarettes would do more good than getting rid of homeopathy, and I say that as a fully paid-up member of the “Homeopathy is Idiotic” club. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/26 "2014-09-25T15:35:01Z")
The worst part is, they’re in plain view on the shelf, with no restrictions. What if a small child were to get their hands on a homeopathic tincture and overdose by drinking too little of it? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/27 "2014-09-25T16:59:55Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > So, [CVS has decided to stop selling cigarettes in the name of health](http://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhedgecock/2014/09/05/lots-of-smoke-as-cvs-withdraws-cigarettes/), and is running lots of TV ads regarding CVS’s promotion of health and healthy living, and how cigarettes just aren’t compatible with that. > > Much as I’m happy to see fewer cigarettes in the world, I find it hypocritical and annoying that CVS is bragging about taking this brave stand, and yet the stores are still selling homeopathic remedies. > > Maybe homeopathic remedies don’t cause cancer, but if you ask me, they’re a bigger rip-off than cigarettes-- with cigarettes, you are getting what you pay for, which is a nicotine delivery system with lots of dangers that only a salamander could be unaware of. Homeopathic “remedies” are _lies_. Second hand smoke kills 50000 Americans a year. Homeopathic remedies do nothing but drain a few wallets, and maybe help via the placebo effect. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/28 "2014-09-25T17:30:51Z")
I wonder if we could redirect Jenny McCarthy towards the idea that homeopathic medicine causes autism? It would be a chance for us to use her awesome powers of stupidity for good rather than evil. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/29 "2014-09-25T17:35:22Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > The worst part is, they’re in plain view on the shelf, with no restrictions. What if a small child were to get their hands on a homeopathic tincture and overdose by drinking too little of it? People can overdose on homeopathic medicine. Natalie Wood did. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/30 "2014-09-25T17:36:52Z")
And that Beach Boys guy! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/31 "2014-09-25T17:37:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > People can overdose on homeopathic medicine. > > Natalie Wood did. “Name three woods that dont float…”😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/32 "2014-09-25T17:42:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Second hand smoke kills 50000 Americans a year. Homeopathic remedies do nothing but drain a few wallets, and maybe help via the placebo effect. [I](http://discoverhomeopathy.co.uk/victims-2/) [beg](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/28/homeopathy-baby-death-couple-jailed) [to](http://doubtfulnews.com/2012/08/u-k-man-dead-from-choosing-homeopathy-over-heart-meds/) [differ](http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/mother-accused-negligence-babys-death-homeopathy-treatments-video/#axzz3ELlLt9bA). ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/33 "2014-09-25T17:56:33Z")
CVS really needs to tout homeopathic smoking cessation aids. What has irked me is the signs up saying something like “We’ll quit with you”. Dude I didn’t know that a corporation could smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/34 "2014-09-25T17:58:20Z")
Too bad they can’t get lung cancer either. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/35 "2014-09-25T18:04:57Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > [I](http://discoverhomeopathy.co.uk/victims-2/) [beg](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/28/homeopathy-baby-death-couple-jailed) [to](http://doubtfulnews.com/2012/08/u-k-man-dead-from-choosing-homeopathy-over-heart-meds/) [differ](http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/mother-accused-negligence-babys-death-homeopathy-treatments-video/#axzz3ELlLt9bA). The homeopathy didnt hurt them- _ignorance_ did. Or, in this case, lack of real medicine did. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/36 "2014-09-25T18:10:23Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The homeopathy didnt hurt them- _ignorance_ did. Or, in this case, lack of real medicine did. And that ignorance is compounded by mixing homeopathy with real medicine. The ignorance wasn’t a lack of knowledge of disease, it was a lack of understanding that homeopathy is not an alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/37 "2014-09-25T18:58:55Z")
Still, I don’t think anyone could argue against the statement that cigarettes do more harm in today’s world than does homeopathy. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/38 "2014-09-25T19:15:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The homeopathy didnt hurt them- _ignorance_ did. I’m sorry, what was the difference, again ? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/39 "2014-09-25T19:44:39Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Still, I don’t think anyone could argue against the statement that cigarettes do more harm in today’s world than does homeopathy. Soda pop and potato chips probably cause more harm than homeopathic medicine too, but I bet you CVS is not racing forward with plans to take them off the shelves. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482/40 "2014-09-25T19:54:47Z")
So then the more valid argument would be to say that CVS is hypocritical for banning cigarettes, but not junk food. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cvs-dumps-cigarettes-keeps-homeopathic-remedies/699482.md?page=3)