RETAIL : East Coast Chain Gives O.C. Firm a Healthy Boost

In a big boost to a little south Orange County company, the nation’s largest drug store chain has decided to carry CigArrest stop-smoking products at its 2,400 stores.

Advantage Life Products Inc. of Laguna Hills said Wednesday that Rite-Aid Drug Stores, an East Coast-based chain, has begun carrying its CigArrest gum and other stop-smoking products at its stores. Advantage Life markets CigArrest primarily as a chewing gum to help smokers quit their habit.

Advantage Life President Charles Sleichter said that Rite-Aid plans to put one of the company’s displays in each of its stores. The company also sells its products through some major department store chains and at airport gift counters.

“The selection by Rite-Aid illustrates the continued emergence of the smoking cessation products market and CigArrests’ leadership position in that market,” Sleichter said.

The deal is the latest indication that Advantage Life continues to cash in on the anti-smoking wave.