Retailers must hold both a Rhode Island Division of Taxation tobacco license and a Providence Board of Licenses permit. Sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited statewide under RI law 11-9-13.4.
Providence enforces Rhode Island's Tobacco 21 law alongside its own retail license review. Stores selling cigarettes, cigars, vapor products, or tobacco-substitute nicotine items must keep state and city licenses on display, ID every buyer who appears under 30, and place products behind the counter. Compliance checks are performed by Providence Police and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare. Self-service displays of tobacco are banned except in adult-only shops. Repeat violations result in escalating fines and license suspension.
Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21, missing IDs, or allowing self-service displays brings fines, suspension, and possible state license revocation.
Providence, RI
Rhode Island General Laws §11-9-13.4 set the minimum age for purchasing tobacco, vape, and nicotine products at 21 statewide; Providence retailers must check...
Providence, RI
Providence vape retailers must hold an RI Division of Taxation tobacco-products license and an RI flavored-vape license; the state restricts flavored e-liqui...
See how Providence's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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