Rhode Island Flavored Tobacco and Vape Restrictions

Rhode Island has restricted the sale of most flavored electronic nicotine delivery system products other than tobacco flavor through Department of Health regulation following an executive order during the 2019 vaping illness outbreak. Flavored cigarettes other than menthol have been federally banned since 2009, and Rhode Island enforces these provisions through its retailer licensing scheme under RIGL Chapter 23-20.10. Some Rhode Island municipalities, including Providence, have explored additional flavored tobacco restrictions on cigars and menthol products. Retailers found selling banned flavored products face license action and product seizure.

Selling restricted flavored vapor products in Rhode Island can result in license suspension, civil penalties, and seizure of inventory under Department of Health enforcement actions.