Providence Tobacco Laws Go Into Effect January 3

New laws banning the sale of flavored tobacco products and the redemption of tobacco industry coupons and multi-pack discounts will go into effect in the City of Providence on Thursday, January 3, 2013.

Flavored tobaccos include, but are not limited to, those infused with fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, herbs, spices, or dessert flavors. Menthol, mint and wintergreen-flavored tobaccos are exceptions to the flavored tobacco ordinance and may continue to be sold in Providence stores.

Tobacco products are defined as items containing tobacco or nicotine such as cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, snus and dissolvable tobacco. The sale of candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes is already banned under a 2009 federal law.

The city's new tobacco regulations also prohibit all vendors selling tobacco in the City of Providence from redeeming coupons that provide any tobacco products or cigarettes for free or at a reduced price. In addition, tobacco vendors are prohibited from selling tobacco products or cigarettes at a multi-pack discount or through buy-down deals in which customers can purchase a tobacco product and receive a second for free or discounted.

Tobacco license holders found in violation of these laws are subject to a fine of $250 for a first offense, $350 for a second offense and $500 for a third offense by the Providence Board of Licenses. License holders with three or more offenses may face suspension or revocation of their tobacco licenses.

The new tobacco regulations exempt smoking bars, as defined by state law section 23-20.10-2(15).

In February, Mayor Angel Taveras and the Providence City Council passed two ordinances banning the sale of tobacco products and store discounts aimed at children. The tobacco industry sued to prevent the laws from taking effect. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary Lisi denied the plaintiffs' request to enjoin the laws and granted summary judgment for the city, dismissing the case.

Store owners who have questions about the city's new tobacco policies may contact the Board of Licenses at 401-421-7740.