2021 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 11 - Criminal Offenses
Chapter 11-9 - Children
Section 11-9-13.10 - Prohibition on the distribution of free tobacco products.
The distribution and/or redemption of free tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products or coupons or vouchers redeemable for free or discounted tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products, to any individual under twenty-one (21) years of age shall be prohibited. Further, the distribution and/or redemption of free tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products or coupons or vouchers redeemable for free or discounted tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products, shall be prohibited, regardless of the age of the individual to whom the products, coupons, or vouchers are distributed, within five hundred feet (500′) of any school. The attorney general, or any local or state of Rhode Island police department, or their officers or agents, shall bring an action for any violation of this section. Every separate, free or discounted tobacco product, including an electronic nicotine-delivery system product or coupon or voucher redeemable for a free or discounted tobacco product, including an electronic nicotine-delivery system or product, in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500). The penalty shall be assessed against the person or individual responsible for initiating the Rhode Island distribution of the free or discounted tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products or coupons or vouchers redeemable for free or discounted tobacco products, including electronic nicotine-delivery system products, and/or against the person or individual responsible for the redemption of such coupons or vouchers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1996, ch. 321, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 182, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 223, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 409, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 426, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 204, § 1, effective July 7, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 205, § 1, effective July 7, 2021.
