Paul Ream stopped and thought - and now he is acting.

The owner of Ream's Family Foods at 2250 N. University Parkway is taking all the Budweisers and the Coors and the Camels and the Marlboros off the shelves. In fact, Thursday was the last day customers could buy beer, cigarettes or other tobacco products at the store.

Ream said the decision to rid his store of alcohol and smokes started when Shyanne enrolled in D.A.R.E. The class teaches children to avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco and to pledge to lead drug-free lives.

"She asked me why am I selling drugs at my store?" Ream said.

That question prompted him to examine his business practices and, ultimately, remove those products. He said the move would bring the store more in line with the values of Utah County, whose predominantly LDS population eschews tobacco and alcohol.

"We call ourselves 'Family Foods' and share values with families in our area," Ream said, "so it made sense."

Ream said his daughter was "tickled pink" with the decision, and his store managers are sold on it as well.

Ream earned high marks from Gayle Ruzicka president of the ultraconservative Utah Eagle Forum, which routinely trumpets traditional values.

"He has made a wise decision." said Ruzicka, who labeled the grocer a hero. "He cared more about his children than the money he would make."

Ream said beer and cigarettes represent 1 percent of the store's total sales, but he explained that the losses could be much more. He said the shoppers who bought those commodities may decide to purchase their groceries at stores willing to sell beer and tobacco. But he hopes those lost patrons will be replaced by others who applaud his stand.

Jim Olsen, president of the Utah Food Industry Association, said Ream is not the first merchant to forgo alcohol or tobacco sales. He said Target does not sell tobacco in its stores, and a store in Davis County has dropped beer.

Then there are stores forced out of the alcohol and tobacco business because clerks broke state law by selling to minors, Olsen said.

Cedar Hills attempted to ban stores from selling beer in its city a couple of years ago, but voters rejected the measure, along with a provision to require stores to close on Sunday.

Paul Ream's decision only affects his store in Provo. Utah's other 12 Ream's outlets are owned by other family members and will not follow suit, he said.

dmeyers@sltrib.com