Skip to content Skip to footer

the state of

Rhode Island

State Legislative Info

GOVERNOR

Daniel McKee
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2080
Fax: (401) 222-8096

THE SENATE

Robert L. Ricci
Secretary of the Senate
State House, Room 220
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 276-2555

THE house

Information not available

Looking for the
latest info?
Join your state's Facebook group!

Share news, events, and upcoming legislation with other members near you

current laws & taxes

regulating smokeless tobacco & vapor products

9 tips for being an advocate

Get Involved

with national calls to action

Rhode Island CALLS TO ACTION

Find Your Legislators

Rhode Island LAWS & TAXES

laws

  • Sales and distribution of vapor products to persons under 18 years of age is prohibited.1,2
  • Purchase and public possession/use of vapor products by persons under 18 years of age is prohibited.1,3
  • A retail license or permit is required to sell vapor products.4
  • Possession of vapor products by visitors is prohibited in all Rhode Island Department of Corrections facilities.5
  • Schools must prohibit the on-premises use of vapor products.6
  • Rhode Island’s Clean Indoor Air Act has been amended to prohibit the use of vapor products where smoking is prohibited.7

Tobacco/Vapor Sales Bans:

Retailers, including online sellers, must acquire a license to sell vapor products, which could cause many to refuse to ship to customers in the state.10

Tobacco/Vapor 21 Law: Federal law passed December 20, 2019 prohibits sales of all tobacco and vapor products to anyone under the age of 21 years old. FDA stated law became effective on that date. States may choose to continue with current age law at the risk of losing federal funding. Barrington and Central Falls already prohibit the sale of tobacco and vapor products to persons under the age of 21 years old.

Flavor Bans: Federal law prohibits the sale of closed system devices (pods, cartridges) containing e-liquid in flavors other than tobacco or menthol.

The sale of e-cigarettes in flavors other than “tobacco” flavor or unflavored is prohibited in the state. This includes both face-to-face and online sales. The law does not include tobacco (flavored cigarettes are banned at the federal level), marijuana products or other nicotine products. 10

Municipalities with their own flavor ban are Barrington, Central Falls, Johnston, Middletown, Providence and Woonsocket prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco except for certain types of retailers, such as tobacco retailers that receive a certain proportion of their revenue from tobacco, tobacco/smoking bars, e-cigarette establishments, adult-only retailers and/or liquor stores.9

9 Tips for Being an Advocate

get to know your lawmakers

and where they stand on important issues. If you can, set up a face-to-face meeting to express your concerns. Otherwise, call or send a letter or email.
01

track local legislation

through your municipal websites using keyword alerts. City officials can help you set these up.
02

share casaa calls to action

on social media and with friends and family.
03

complete our calls to action

sharing them is great, but make sure you complete our CTAs yourself and make your voice heard!
04

Attend
hearings & meetings

even if you don't feel comfortable speaking, just being physically present can make a huge impact when many people show up to show their support for those speaking.
05

register to vote

and make sure you participate in local, state, and federal elections.
06

alert casaa
to local legislation

in your area. We rely on crowdsourcing some information from our members - no one knows your community better than you!
07

spread the word

encourage everyone you know to join CASAA and participate in CTAs. Our strength is in our numbers!
08

follow us on social media

for access to the latest news, science, and information. Be sure to join your state's Facebook group as well!
09
We Can't Do It Without Your Support

We rely on donations from generous supporters like you.
Every little bit helps!