Judge Peter Busch of San Francisco Superior Court dismissed a legal challenge of the city's ban on selling tobacco products in pharmacies – the first of its kind in the country.

Walgreens, a prolific drugstore chain with close to 60 locations in the city, had been forced to remove all tobacco products by the law on 1 November, after Busch first upheld the tobacco ban passed by the board of supervisors in July.
Walgreens complained that the law's exemption for supermarkets and big-box retail stores provides an unfair advantage over pharmacies. Busch tossed the complaint from court.
According to published reports, Walgreens' attorney Daniel Kolkey said the company will appeal the ruling.
In a separate legal challenge, a federal judge ruled against Philip Morris' attempt to defeat San Francisco's ban, which the company has appealed.
San Francisco city officials say they hope the ban will become a model for similar legislation in other localities across the country. (pi)