Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
H8254 2026 -- H 8254 ======== LC005806 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Alzate, Baginski, and Tanzi Date Introduced: March 06, 2026 Referred To: House Finance It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 44-20-61 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-20 entitled Cigarette, 2 Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products is hereby amended 3 to read as follows: 4 44-20-61. Product restrictions on electronic nicotine-delivery system products. 5 (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 6 (1) “Characterizing flavor” means a distinguishable taste or aroma, other than the taste or 7 aroma of tobacco or menthol , distinguishable by an ordinary consumer, imparted either prior to, or 8 during, consumption of an electronic nicotine-delivery system product or component part thereof, 9 including, but not limited to, tastes or aromas relating to any fruit, mint, menthol, wintergreen, 10 chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, or spice or which impart 11 a cooling or numbing sensation. The determination of whether an electronic nicotine-delivery 12 system product has a characterizing flavor shall not be based solely on the use of additives, 13 flavorings, or particular ingredients, but shall instead consider all aspects of a final product 14 including, but not limited to, taste, flavor and aroma, product labeling, and advertising statements. 15 A flavor shall be presumed to be a characterizing flavor if a dealer, manufacturer, or distributor has 16 made a statement or claim directed to consumers or the public about such flavor, whether expressed 17 or implied, that it has a distinguishable taste or aroma (other than the taste or aroma of tobacco or 18 menthol). 1 (2) “Flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system product” means any electronic nicotine- 2 delivery system product that imparts a characterizing flavor. 3 (b) The sale, or offer for sale of, or the possession with intent to sell or to offer for sale, 4 flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system products to consumers within the state of Rhode Island 5 is hereby prohibited. Compassion centers and licensed cultivators registered with the state of Rhode 6 Island department of business regulation-office of cannabis regulation under chapter 28.6 of title 7 21 are exempt from this provision except as to products that contain, are made of, or are derived 8 from tobacco or nicotine, natural or synthetic. 9 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005806 ======== LC005806 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO TAXATION -- CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS *** 1 This act would include menthol as a flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system product. 2 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005806 ======== LC005806 - Page 3 of 3
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