FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            March 5, 2008

COUNTY APPLAUDS DECICCO’S FOR DECISION TO STOP SELLING TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Spano says he hopes other merchants will follow suit

County Executive Andy Spano has called upon other Westchester merchants to follow the lead of DeCicco’s grocery stores and stop the sale of tobacco products entirely.

In a letter to John DeCicco Sr., Spano  praised the action of the six-store group,  saying, “Creating a healthy quality of life for all people in Westchester County is a responsibility we all share, and your decision to prohibit tobacco sales in your stores in Westchester and Rockland is a courageous one. It is my hope that other chain food stores and neighborhood markets will follow your lead. You have taken an important step to protect the health and well-being of your customers and staff.”

Westchester County and its Department of Health have many programs to deter smoking  and health others quit. Many programs are particularly focused on youth.

Health Commissioner Dr. Josh Lipsman also applauded the decision. “It's small in the global scheme of things, but extraordinary in the fight against the biggest public health problem we face and that is responsible for a third of all deaths,” he said.

The county Board of Health voted unanimously last month to issue a Proclamation to DeCicco’s commending them for their action. The proclamation will be issued at this month’s Board of Health meeting. In it, the board recognizes  DeCicco Markets “for discontinuing the sale of tobacco and tobacco products in its stores and, by so doing, demonstrating its socially responsible leadership to protect and advance the public’s health.”