A few days ago, some friends and I were having drinks. As expected when you put on a decent buzz, we started to reminisce about the joys of a good drink and a good smoke. We headed out of the bar and walked down the street to our local convenience store, our hearts set on an old favorite, “Georgia Peach Cobbler Frosting – Ice.” But as soon as I requested it, the person behind the counter frowned. He shook his head and drew a finger across his throat. How could I have forgotten? Flavored vapes were now banned in RI. Disappointed, we bought “Menthol Clear” instead and puffed our blues away…
As of January 1, 2025, the sale and/or possession with intent to sell flavored electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS, also known as vapes) is prohibited by law in RI. Banned flavors are specified, but not limited to, any fruit, mint, chocolate, honey, or spice that may impart a cooling or numbing sensation. However, unlike in Massachusetts (where menthol is considered a flavor), menthol is legal for purchase in RI. As of right now, menthol and tobacco are the only vape flavors available.
In addition, new taxes have gone into effect. The RI Division of Taxation states that for refillable vapes, the tax is 10% of the wholesale cost of the product. For prefilled, manufacturer-sealed, and non-refillable products, the tax is $0.50/mL of the liquid in the vape. In a typical closed system vape, (often referred to as a disposable) there may be 10-12 mL of juice, meaning that the tax is $5 or $6 dollars (around 25% tax). This means that disposables, often preferred by younger adults and children, are taxed more heavily. Out of 75 representatives, 3 rejected the ban, those being Representative Patricia Morgan (R), Representative David Place (R), and Representative Enrique Sanchez (D).
Flavors have been banned in RI in an effort to keep them away from children. According to a survey conducted by the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, in 2021, 17.8% of high school students in RI used vapes at least once in the past 30 days.
As can be expected, there is a large debate surrounding this ban and its implications for Rhode Island. To gauge these concerns, I spoke to numerous individuals hailing from various backgrounds and among many professions: nurses, social workers, therapists, college students, accountants, smoke shop employees, construction workers, restaurant managers, blue collar/white collar/pink collar professionals, as well as smokers and non-smokers alike.
Many of the criticisms I heard have to do with the inequity of banning flavored vapes, but not flavored alcohol or marijuana and how, unlike liquor stores and dispensaries, many smoke shops will end up closing as a result of the ban, hurting small businesses and putting people out of jobs. Others feel that if politicians really cared about people’s health, why not ban all vapes or smoking/nicotine products? •
Keep an eye out for the second half of this piece in our next issue, dropping Feb 12!
Vaping Photo by Lindsay Fox on Flickr. Edited by Olivia Lunger
