News from American Lung Association of New York State, Inc.

For more information contact: Brian Marchetti, 518-465-2013

Lung Association: Movement Gains Strength as Third Supermarket Chain Halts Tobacco Sales

ALBANY, NY (02/19/2008; 1656)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association of New York State commends Buffalo-based Budwey's Supermarkets for its commitment to public health, and for placing the well-being of its customers above profit, by halting sales of cigarettes. Budwey's Supermarkets follows the Rochester-based Wegmans Food Markets and Bronxville-based DeCicco Family Markets in announcing the voluntary end of tobacco product sales. The Lung Association again calls on Governor Spitzer and the New York State legislature to make saving lives a priority by increasing the excise tax on cigarettes in New York State. New York can drastically reduce smoking levels and increase funding for tobacco control programs by enacting an additional $1.50 in the state tobacco excise tax.  Raising the tax will not only lead to increased state revenue, but will also create an economic incentive for smokers to quit their deadly addiction.