CVS is snuffing out cigarettes.<br/> <br />The pharmacy chain announced it will stop selling tobacco products at its 7,600 stores by October, making it the first major U.S. drugstore to pull cigarettes from its shelves.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: CVS CAREMARK PRESIDENT LARRY MERLO, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We've come to the conclusion that tobacco, in a setting where health care is being administered, those two just don't go together."<br/> <br />Public health advocates hope the move will encourage other major retailers to follow suit.<br/> <br />The drugstore plans to launch smoking cessation programs at its stores nationwide.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: CVS PHARMACY PRESIDENT HELENA FOULKES, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It really will be quite comprehensive in terms of providing services at all 7,600 of our pharmacies, our Minute Clinics, and also bringing online tools to our customers."<br/> <br />The company says it will lose about $2 billion in annual sales when it stops selling cigarettes.<br/> <br />President Obama, a former smoker, is praising CV
