Contact: Nicole Napoli, nnapoli@acc.org, 202-375-6523

WASHINGTON (Feb. 5, 2014) - American College of Cardiology President John G. Harold, MD, MACC, made the following statement today regarding CVS' decision to halt all cigarette and tobacco sales in their stores.

"CVS is setting an important example putting public health above profit. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States, including an estimated 40 percent of all heart disease cases. The American College of Cardiology agrees with CVS that this is the right thing to do and tobacco products have no place in a setting where health care is delivered."

The mission of the American College of Cardiology is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health. The College is a 43,000-member medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The ACC provides professional education, operates national registries to measure and improve quality of care, disseminates cardiovascular research, and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more information, visit www.cardiosource.org/ACC.

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