SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to make it harder for smokers to buy cigarettes. In his effort to make San Francisco a healthy city, Newsom is proposing legislation to ban pharmacies from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products, including pipes.

The owner of Reliable Pharmacy in the Sunset District has been selling cigarettes for 35 years. Owner Sam Ching said he plans to stop sales whether the legislation passes or not.

But another pharmacy owner in the Fillmore District opposes Newsom's plan. He points out that cigarette smokers purchase more than just tobacco. Nick Shoman of Charlie's Pharmacy put it this way: "That is where it is going to hurt. That will effect my business. And if this does pass maybe the mayor can find one of my unemployed workers a job."

The city's Health Department says people need to look at the bigger picture. Dr. Rajiv Bhatia says: "Pharmacies have a special responsibilty not to be selling products that are harmful. Certainly not profitting from the sale of products that are harmful."

Under the proposed legislation, pharmacies that get caught selling tobacco products could faces fine between $100 and $1000.