WASHINGTON – Following the announcement last week by CVS that is will cease selling cigarettes, eight Senators are urging other drug store chains to follow suit, Roll Call reports.

“We recognize the legality of selling and profiting from tobacco products; however, we also believe that you are in a position to have a major positive impact on public health,” the senators wrote.

The senators drafted letters to the heads of Walgreens, Rite Aid and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) led the letters, joined by Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL, Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

“In recognition of the 8.6 million Americans who currently suffer from smoking-caused illnesses, we hope you will join this national effort to end the scourge of tobacco use,” the letter says. “We look forward to working with you in a joint effort to promote the health of all Americans.”