Hannaford might want to hide its cigarettes

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Letter to the Editor
Gazette

After reading the May 12 letter by Jeanie Orr, “Stop enticing the next generation to smoke,” I couldn’t help but wonder how many [healthy food] stars Hannaford gives to the tobacco products it sells in its stores.

On a recent trip to their store in Latham Farms, I was overwhelmed by the cigarette signs that were hung right above the checkout conveyor belt. Behind them in the next aisle were cigarette display cases filled with brightly colored Camel and Marlboro cigarette packs placed at the eye-level of young children.

A company that prides itself on its approach to healthy living should seriously think about how the marketing strategy of this deadly, addictive product affects our youth.

Laura Waterhouse

Latham