Countries across the globe commemorated World No Tobacco Day on May 31. It seems unfathomable to learn that the United States is not the world leader that it should be.
In places such as Thailand, Iceland and Canada laws require tobacco products to be tucked away out of sight and sold only on request. A larger number of countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Germany and Ghana do not allow for tobacco to be sold in pharmacies.
British Virgin Islands' law states, "tobacco products shall not be sold in a healthy institution including a hospital, pharmacy and health clinic."
U.S. citizens are letting their legislators know they have seen enough. More than 55 municipalities in Massachusetts have successfully banned the sale of tobacco in any store that contains a pharmacy. Teens and smokers who are trying to quit are protected from the mixed message sent when a licensed health provider sells a product that kills 50 percent of its users.
Albany County has a proposed law that will guarantee all pharmacies become tobacco-free. More than two dozen spoke in April at an Albany County Legislature hearing in favor of the plan. It is encouraging to live in a community whose residents are willing to address this issue.
Laura Waterhouse
Latham