Photo: AP CVS has quit cigarettes — and so far managed to avoid a painful withdrawal. The pharmacy giant reported better-than-expected third-quarter sales and profits despite making good on its pledge to stop selling cigarettes at its 7,700 stores at the start of September. CVS, which also changed its name to CVS Health in September, said it felt the impact as sales in the front-end of its drugstores fell 4.5 percent during the quarter ended Sept. 30. If it weren’t for the tobacco ban, which CVS has predicted will cost it $2 billion in yearly revenue, front-end sales would have risen 0.3 percent, CVS said. CVS shares dipped 65 cents to close at $85.47. Nevertheless, CEO Larry Merlo said over... [Read more]