The stores, located from Logan to Utah County, join the two Dick's Markets in Centerville and Bountiful and a Ream's store in Provo that stopped tobacco sales in the mid-1990s.

Dave Wirthlin, president of Dick's Market, Dan's and Macey's, said the decision to stop selling tobacco products came from health concerns for employees and shoppers, which far outweigh financial impacts from lost sales.

"The long-term health effects of smoking on communities don't come close to any monetary gain from selling these products," said Wirthlin. "And it's inconsistent with our focus on a healthy lifestyle and family-first orientation that makes our stores unique."

The stores are affiliated with Associated Retail Stores, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated Food Stores, an independent retailer-owned warehouse based in Salt Lake City serving nearly 500 grocers throughout the Intermountain West.

"Tobacco is the only product that, when used as directed, kills," said Lena Dibble from The Truth anti-tobacco education campaign. "They are setting a great example for other businesses."

The stores also have initiated a tobacco cessation program to help employees wanting to quit smoking. Wirthlin says employees have told him that stopping tobacco sales has given them a reason to quit.

About 44 percent of smokers nationwide have made an effort to stop smoking in the past 12 months, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"Obviously there will be a mixed reaction to our decision to stop tobacco sales," said Wirthlin. "We certainly aren't judging anyone who smokes. We welcome any questions or concerns and appreciate the support of our community."

Ream's Family Foods in Provo stopping selling both tobacco products and beer in September.

Owner Paul Ream has said that beer and tobacco products represented only 1 percent of his store's total sales, but he predicted he would lose more than that because shoppers who buy beer and cigarettes would pick up their groceries elsewhere.

dawn@sltrib.com