States ask big retailers to stop selling tobacco

• Mother accused of faking son's cancer for donations
• Teen hosts wild party that sent 5 to hospital; father says he was asleep
• Family defends man accused of biting off piece of infant son's nose
• Son claims Westboro preacher Fred Phelps is near death
• Online support launched to save pit bull who bit child

While major retailers like Walmart carry just about everything, they may soon be lacking one item in particular — cigarettes.

Attorneys general from 24 states, Washington D.C. and 3 U.S. territories have sent letters to five major retailers including Walgreens, Walmart and Safeway urging them to stop selling tobacco products. (ViaWNYT)

The move is being spearheaded by attorneys general Eric Schneiderman from New York and Mike DeWine from Ohio, who issued a press release saying, "Pharmacies and drug stores, which increasingly market themselves as a source for community health care, send a mixed message by continuing to sell deadly tobacco products."

The New York Times notes that while there's no specific mention within the letters of punishing companies with legal action if they refuse, that "a person with knowledge of the group's thinking said that if the retailers did not act voluntarily, a push for reform or litigation could be a step down the road."

Although the Los Angeles Times couldn't reach Kroger; Walgreens, Safeway, Walmart and Rite Aid all stated that they were reviewing the letter. Rite Aid said it "'appreciate[s] that the attorneys general took the time to share their views' and that it is evaluating the letter."