Anyone who has spent only a few minutes around our facility knows how serious we are about health and fitness.  We not only promote it ourselves, but we also encourage it in others—individuals and companies alike.

 

We learned today of CVS’ official decision to remove all remaining tobacco products from its 7,700 pharmacies across the U.S.  As a training and fitness facility, we applaud CVS’ efforts to help end a terrible cycle of use and abuse of harmful substances, such as tobacco.  To us, nothing is more disheartening than seeing people, especially adolescents, become hopelessly dependent upon these substances.

 

As a token of appreciation for CVS’ stance on the issue, Next Level Training sent a party-sized Edible Arrangements fruit basket today to a local CVS, the CVS in Randolph, NJ. 

               

As fitness trainers and enthusiasts, we advocate fervently for the health and well-being of our athletes, of our clients, and of the community as a whole.  We strongly support CVS’ willingness to take a stand on ending tobacco use and to promote awareness of health issues.

 

We also commend CVS for its eagerness to become involved with initiatives, such as the new smoking-cessation campaign CVS that will be launching.  The program will include evaluations of smokers’ “readiness to quit,” related education, and medication support to help quitters as they strive to live a more healthy lifestyle. 

 

CVS is the first large chain to take decisive action towards eliminating the sale of tobacco.  It did so almost a month ahead of schedule, as October 1, 2014 originally was the date on which it planned to end tobacco sales.  CVS is expected to forego approximately $2 billion in annual sales as it boldly chooses to instead provide better-quality services to the public. 

 

One of the many policies that Next Level Training has in place is a Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which outlines Next Level Training’s firm commitment to its employees and customers to provide a safe workplace and a substance-free environment.   Recognizing that alcohol and drug use pose a significant threat to our goals as a company, it is our policy that use of any of these substances, such as tobacco products, is prohibited on company premises and in any other areas required by local ordinance.  Because Next Level Training is committed to protecting the safety, health, and well being of all employees and other individuals in our workplace, we have established a drug-free workplace program that balances our respect for individuals with the need to maintain an alcohol-free and drug-free environment.

 

We hope to see other companies follow suit and commit themselves to healthy living initiatives.

 

In the meantime—thank you, CVS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Alexandra Gakos, Next Level Training

 

 

September 3, 2014