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LETTER: End tobacco sales

Retailers should rethink tobacco.
We have read with great interest the Letters to the Editor regarding Mr. Jim Hiller's decision to quit stocking his store, Hiller's Market, shelves with tobacco products. There is however another question to be asked, "Is it still profitable for business owners to sell cigarettes?"
Today, the population of adults using tobacco is 17 percent. Twenty-five years ago it was between 76-80 percent.
Because of this trend, restaurant owners have noted that people are willing to wait in line for a non-smoking table while smoking tables remain empty. Their response has been to either expand the non-smoking area to accommodate their customers or choose to eliminate smoking in their eatery entirely.

Then there are the businesses that decide the old tobacco vending machine was more trouble than it was worth. They are now few and far between because of the state restriction on vending machine placement.

Clerks must also deal with disgruntled customers that lose money in the machine, and a legal requirement for keeping a watchful eye on minors trying to sneak an opportunity to buy smokes illegally. For most businesses it was just simply no longer worth it.

Now it's time for retailers to rethink tobacco. Is stocking my store with a product that brings less and less revenue a smart return for my trouble? First they have to provide floor and shelve space and keep track of the inventory. Employees need to stock shelves, as well as, take the time to make sure their customer is of legal age to make this purchase. If there is a slip up there can be a court appearance with an imposed fine.

That seems to be a lot of valuable time for a business owner to spend on a product with only a 17 percent customer base. Within the next few years, that number will continue to decrease.