IOWA
Analysis, Commentary, Musings
IOWA
Analysis, Commentary, Musings
RHODE ISLAND
Analysis and insight on tobacco and vapor
products in the Ocean State
• Cigarettes: $3.75/pack
• Other Tobacco Products:
80% Wholesale Price
• Cigars: $0.50/cigar
• E-Cigarettes: None
Excise Taxes
E-Cigarettes Defined as Tobacco Products?
-No-
E-Cigarettes Included in Smoking Bans?
-Yes-
Flavor Bans?
Yes, effective March 26, 2020
TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION 101: RHODE ISLAND
Key Points:
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Rhode Island’s vaping industry provided more than $54 million in economic activity in 2018 while generating 271 direct vaping-related jobs. Sales of disposables and prefilled cartridges in Rhode Island exceeded $2.2 million in 2016.
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As of October 3, RIDH has reported two vaping-related lung illnesses, including age ranges. RIDH notes the role of THC in the outbreak, but does not provide thorough data. RIDH earns a C for its reporting on vaping-related lung illnesses.
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In 2019, 7.3 percent of Rhode Island high school students reported daily use of vapor products; nearly 70 percent reported not using e-cigarettes. Only 4.5 percent cited flavors as a reason for e-cigarette use.
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Only 1 percent of FDA retail compliance checks in Rhode Island resulted in sales of e-cigarettes to minors from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019.
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Rhode Island spends very little on tobacco prevention. In 2019, Rhode Island dedicated only $390,926 on tobacco control, or less than 1 percent of what the state received in tobacco settlement payments and taxes.