[Address]
Dear City/Town Board of Health:
My name is [XX], I
have been a [TOWN
NAME] resident for [NUMBER OF] years. I am
also a practicing physician. I am writing to express my
support for eliminating the sale of tobacco products in all
facilities where health care professionals are employed including
pharmacies, and chain stores that house pharmacies such as grocery
stores and large discount stores.
The medical evidence on tobacco use is clear. Tobacco
products are the single most preventable cause of premature death
and disability in the United States and in Massachusetts
today. As a health professional, I strongly believe that I
have a special obligation to promote the public health whenever
possible and strongly discourage tobacco use. Smokers trying to
quit should be able to go into a pharmacy knowing they will not
have to see tobacco products displayed next to "the patch" and
nicotine gum designed to help their efforts to
quit.
Pharmacists are trusted health care professionals and part of
the larger provider team. As part of our health care delivery
system, pharmacies, like hospitals and clinics, should be
prohibited from selling tobacco products. For 40 years, the
American Pharmaceutical Association has held the same position that
"the mass display of cigarettes in pharmacies is in direct
contradiction to the role of a pharmacy as a public health
facility."
Over the past 3 years, a growing number of cities and towns
across Massachusetts have prohibited the sale of tobacco being sold
in these establishments including Boston, Fall River, and
Worcester. I strongly urge you to support the proposal that
our community join the other communities in Massachusetts and
support the ban on the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies in
[NAME OF TOWN].
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
[Name, Title]
[Home address]
[Contact information]
