“I stand strong by my conviction to remove alcohol and tobacco signs from my store windows. As a business owner, I felt it was the socially responsible thing to do. Many youth are impressionable. All adults, whether parents or not, should take an active role to ensure our youth are protected. I feel good about what we did, and I hope my position will pave the way for other businesses to follow.

Mike Rooney

Owner

From Scratch

It was a corporate decision to cease selling vape/tobacco products all-together at our 129 Price Chopper stores across six states. Now this Price Chopper store is raising the bar by dedicating their entrance to be Substance-Free with six new signs. That means in addition to being smoke-free, their entrance is also free of vape, cannabis,and alcohol use.

Tyler Dunbar

Price Chopper

Manchester

I didn’t personally support selling cigarettes when I purchased the market, but it was a business decision to keep them on the shelves. Our clientele are health conscious, for the most part, so a lot of cigarette inventory expired. Ultimately, the store phased out cigarette sales.

Lorraine Neuhaus

Owner

Winhall Market

Winhall

We decided as a family to not sell tobacco products because of the health issues smoking can cause and as a security measure, as one of the most common things stolen from stores are the tobacco products. We were worried about the loss of sales at first but so far it hasn’t really affected our bottom line.

Robert Hurst

Owner

Willey’s Store

Greensboro

I’ve been at the store for 61 years. My dad had a policy to never advertise or discount cigarettes. He never touched tobacco his whole life. I’ve kept that tradition all these years. I always discourage people from buying the products. I will not advertise it or discount it. I don’t want to see youth get hooked on something that’s going to be a real detriment to their health.

Senator Dick Mazza

Owner

Dick Mazza’s General Store & State Senator

Colchester

In the last seven and a half years, a half a dozen of our regular customers who were cigarette smokers passed away. We decided to keep a limited selection, to display them as marginally as possible, and to do no secondary advertising — no posters, no plastic boxes, no kids’ characters of tobacco mascots.

Brad Hartley

Vermont Energy Co

Ferrisburg

We gave up selling tobacco well over 20 years ago. We promote healthcare and smoking is just so against that.

Steve Hochberg

Owner & Pharmacist

Rutland Pharmacy

Rutland

I’ve seen everyone who smokes struggle in the 21 years I’ve owned the store. I do not carry the one packet cigars or dip. I have chosen not to use any sandwich boards or posters or any other marketing tool that the tobacco companies have put out that I can pick up at a trade show or get through my distributors. Wouldn’t it be great to see the next generation of Vermont children tobacco-free?

Vaneasa Sterns

Owner

Lincoln General Store

Lincoln