SouthShoreNow.ca

Kelly MacDonald
Lighthouse staff

 BRIDGEWATER - Proposed amendments to the Tobacco Access Act could see the removal of tobacco products from Nova Scotian pharmacies by January.

 Local pharmacist Susan Cochrane, also the manager at the Bridgewater Plaza Pharmasave, says most pharmacists agree with the move, but wonder why it's stopping with pharmacies.

 She says the removal from drug stores won't regulate the sale of the products as grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores will still be selling tobacco, but they all agree with the reasoning behind it.

 "As a health issue we all understand."

 Sandra Robar, manager in Bridgewater's Lawtons Drug Stores says she agrees with the decision.

 Ms Cochrane says most people in the business were expecting it.

 "It was a matter of time before it happened."

 The shock was in the timing, she says, as the whole issue has been quiet for quite some time.

 She doesn't know how the decision will effect the books.

 "I don't know how it's going to affect us financially yet."

 The Lawtons location in the South Shore Medical Arts Building is tobacco free, but as the company only took it over a few months ago and tobacco products have never been sold there Ms Robar says it's hard to say how it's affected them. She says business in that location is good, so she doesn't see a problem.

 "I don't think it's going to make that much difference."