Rhode Island § 44-20-39 - Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products

Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 44-20-39 — Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 44-20-39. Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products

R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20-39

§ 44-20-39. Forgery and counterfeiting — Tampering with meters — Reuse of stamps or containers.

Any person who or that fraudulently makes or utters or forges or counterfeits any stamp, disc, license, or marker, prescribed by the tax administrator under the provisions of this chapter, or who causes or procures this to be done; or who willfully utters, publishes, passes or renders as true, any false, altered, forged, or counterfeited stamp, license, disc, or marker; or who knowingly possesses more than twenty (20) packs of cigarettes containing any false, altered, forged, or counterfeited stamp, license, disc, or marker; or who tampers with, or causes to be tampered with, any metering machine authorized to be used under the provisions of this chapter; or who removes or prepares any stamp with intent to use, or cause that stamp to be used, after it has already been used; or who buys, sells, offers for sale, or gives away any washed or removed or restored stamp to any person; or who has in his or her possession any washed or restored or removed or altered stamp that was removed from the article to which it was affixed, or who reuses or refills with cigarettes any package, box, or container required to be stamped under this chapter from which cigarettes have been removed, is deemed guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be fined one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or be imprisoned for not more than fifteen (15) years, or both.

History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 663, § 20; impl. am. P.L. 1940, ch. 875, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-20-39; P.L. 2007, ch. 246, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 250, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 21, § 6; P.L. 2014, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 168, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 512, art. 1, § 32.

Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 44-20-39

What does Rhode Island General Laws § 44-20-39 cover?

Section 44-20-39 ("Cigarette, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Nicotine-Delivery System Products") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Rhode Island § 44-20-39?

A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 44-20-39" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.

How does Rhode Island § 44-20-39 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.