CHICAGO — Physicians are backing a new public health policy that bans the sale of tobacco products and/or byproducts in retail outlets housing store-based health clinics.

The American Medical Association voted to adopt the policy at its Annual Meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.

“It’s ridiculous for stores that house health clinics to sell tobacco products,” stated AMA board member William Dolan. “To keep the objective of getting and keeping patients healthy, the sale of tobacco products must be banned from any health care facility.”

Additional policies that were voted on during the AMA’s policy-making meeting in Chicago include a rating system for processed foods, opposition to the addition of flavors to cigarettes and elder mistreatment.

The policy that bans the sale of tobacco products in those retail outlets that have an in-store health clinic was brought forth because several states, including Illinois, are looking to pass such legislation. Having the AMA’s blessing could help those states in their pursuit.

As previously reported by Drug Store News, the Federal Trade Commission recently approved staff comments regarding proposed regulation of retail health care facilities in Illinois. Among the concerns is the bill’s (HB 5372) prohibition on the location of a clinic “in any store or place that provides alcohol or tobacco products for sale to the public.”

As to HB 5372’s tobacco and alcohol sales restrictions, FTC staff recognized the state’s interest in safeguarding the health and welfare of citizens and that such interests may prompt regulatory restrictions that guard against, for example, the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to minors. However, the rationale for not allowing a clinic in a retail store that also sells tobacco or alcohol is unclear, according to the FTC.

At the same time, this restriction could limit the supply of retail clinics and the basic medical services they would provide if retail stores were to decide sales of tobacco and alcohol were more profitable than having a retail health clinic. Staff concluded the letter by suggesting that the state legislature consider clarifying those provisions in HB 5372 that may be subject to interpretations that would limit health care competition.