Rhode Island § 44-20-2 - Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products

§ 44-20-2. Manufacturer, importer, distributor, and dealer licenses required — Licenses required.

(a) Each manufacturer engaging in the business of selling any cigarette and/or any other tobacco products, except for cigars, and/or electronic nicotine-delivery system products in this state shall secure a license, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, from the administrator before engaging in that business, or continuing to engage in it.

(b) Each person engaging in the business of selling cigarette and/or any other tobacco products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products in this state, including any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or dealer, shall secure a license from the administrator before engaging in that business, or continuing to engage in it. A separate application and license is required for each place of business operated by a distributor, manufacturer, importer, or dealer; provided, that an operator of vending machines for cigarette products is not required to obtain a distributor’s license for each machine. If the applicant for a license does not have a place of business in this state, the license shall be issued for such applicant’s principal place of business, wherever located. A licensee shall notify the administrator within thirty (30) days in the event that it changes its principal place of business. A separate license is required for each class of business if the applicant is engaged in more than one of the activities required to be licensed by this section. No person shall maintain or operate or cause to be operated a vending machine for cigarette products without procuring a dealer’s license for each machine.

(c) Effective January 1, 2025, the administrator shall implement a single license and renewal application that allows for the licensure of retailers/dealers of cigarettes and/or any other tobacco products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products and a separate single license and renewal application that allows for the licensure of distributors, manufacturers, and importers of cigarettes and/or any other tobacco products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products.

(d) Immediately following the enactment of this chapter, any electronic nicotine-delivery system products distributor or dealer, licensed in good-standing by the department of health pursuant to chapter 1 of title 23, shall be considered licensed for purposes of compliance with this chapter until the renewal date for such license pursuant to chapter 20 of title 44 occurs; thereafter, such distributors and dealers shall be required to comply with the license requirements in this chapter.