Rhode Island Statewide Rule
Rhode Island Tobacco 21 Law Under RIGL 11-9-13
Key Facts
- Statewide Minimum Age
- Statewide minimum age is 21
- Covers Tobacco Vapor
- Covers tobacco, vapor, and accessories
- Photo Verification Required
- Photo ID verification required
- Civil Penalties Escalate
- Civil penalties escalate with violations
- Compliance Checks Conducted
- Compliance checks conducted regularly
Summary
Rhode Island prohibits the sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 11-9-13, aligning with federal Tobacco 21 standards and applying to all retailers statewide.
No person shall sell, give, or deliver to any individual under twenty-one (21) years of age, any tobacco product in the form of cigarettes, bidi cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, flavored cigars known as "blunts," unflavored "blunts," flavored and unflavored blunt wraps, cigarette rolling papers of any size or composition, cigarillos and tiparillos, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic nicotine-delivery system products, or any and all products as defined in § 44-20-1.
Full Breakdown
R.I. Gen. Laws Section 11-9-13 makes it unlawful to sell, give, or deliver tobacco products, electronic nicotine-delivery systems, or related items to anyone under 21; Section 11-9-13.4 supplies the definitions. Retailers must check government-issued photo identification for any buyer who appears under 30. The law covers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah, e-cigarettes, and accessories. Civil penalties escalate with repeat violations and can include license suspension. Compliance checks are performed by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals and local enforcement.
Violations & Penalties
Selling tobacco or vapor products to a person under 21 carries civil penalties starting at modest amounts and escalating with repeat violations, plus potential license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rhode Island's Tobacco 21 law cover vape products?
What ID is required to buy tobacco in Rhode Island?
Sources
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