CVS is Carding for Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover

has a strong chemical smell, and companies even recommend using it in a well ventilated area right on the bottle. Is may come as no surprise then that acetone, a key ingredient found in many formulas of polish remover, is also being used illegally to make crystal meth. Amateur chemists scoop up the product in bulk to create the psychoactive drug, and now CVS is taking action to prevent acetone from getting into the wrong hands.

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We contacted CVS, who provided us with this official statement:

"Because acetone is an ingredient used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, we recently implemented a policy that a valid ID must be presented to purchase acetone-containing products such as nail polish remover. Our policy also limits the sale of these products in conjunction with other methamphetamine precursors and is based on various regulations requiring retailers to record sales of acetone."

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There is currently no state or federal law that requires businesses to card customers when buying acetone-containing products. Has extended viewing of AMC's "Breaking Bad" freaked out the drugstore chain? We reached out to several CVS locations in New York City for more specific shopping information. According to several store managers, in order to purchase acetone you must prove you are at least 18 years old with a valid ID. You are also limited to purchasing one 32 oz. bottle of acetone within a 24-hour period, which will be monitored and tracked by scanning your ID into the CVS database. If you have gone over your allotment, the computer system will decline your purchase. It could take a month for even the most ambitious nail art enthusiast to go through a 32 oz. bottle, so there should be no issues for your average consumer. The manager we spoke with at one CVS location on East 38th street said he did have one customer who was upset about the policy and he didn't understand it, but once they explained the new law the customer understood and complied.

Acetone is not the only drugstore item being regulated with the hope of cracking down on meth production. In the past few years, federal laws required pharmacies to check IDs when customers try to purchase any cold and allergy medicine containing pseudophedrine, another ingredient used to make meth. Common pills like Sudafed and Claritin-D contain the ingredient and are often kept behind pharmacy counters to prevent theft.

Those with a fondness for at-home manicures looking to avoid the situation altogether have options. Acetone is a strong polish remover, but it's actually very damaging to your skin and nails, making them brittle and stripping enamel. There are many non-acetone polish removers alternatives on the market that are less toxic and more nourishing to your nails-just check the label. They may take a little more elbow grease to remove stubborn metallic or glitter polishes, but they contain ethyl acetate, the solvent already found in most bottles of nail polish.

We contacted Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Duane Reade drugstores in New York City, but they have not implemented any acetone policies thus far. Other chains may eventually follow suit to crack down on meth abuse, but thankfully our harmless nail polish addiction can remain intact.

Related links:
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How To Save Money At CVS
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