Outline of the state of Rhode Island
State
Rhode Island
Addressed

Category
Tobacco Free Environments —Vaping

Category
Tobacco Free Environments —Vaping

State law, regulation, or district policy addresses vaping or electronic cigarette use.

State of Rhode Island General Laws § 11-9-14. Use of tobacco by minors

No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall use or possess, when such possession is clearly visible, tobacco in any public street, place, or resort, any tobacco and/or electronic nicotine delivery system in any form whatsoever. Any person under eighteen (18) years of age violating the provisions of this section shall be required to perform up to thirty (30) hours of community service or shall be required to enter into a tobacco treatment program, approved by any local substance abuse prevention task force, at the option of a minor charged with a violation of this section.

Policy Type
Statute

State of Rhode Island General Laws § 23-20.9-4. Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) "Electronic nicotine-delivery system usage" means any vaping, inhaling, or use of any device defined in § 11-9-13.4.

Policy Type
Statute

State of Rhode Island General Laws § 23-20.9-5. Regulation of smoking in schools.

(a) The governing body of each school in Rhode Island shall be responsible for the development of enforcement procedures to prohibit tobacco product usage and electronic nicotine-delivery system usage by any person utilizing school facilities. All facilities used by a school, whether owned, leased, or rented, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. Enforcement procedures shall be promulgated and conspicuously posted in each building. (b) This chapter shall not modify, or be used as a basis for modifying, school policies or regulations in effect prior to the passage of this chapter if the existing policies or regulations prohibit tobacco product usage and electronic nicotine-delivery system usage in the school. (c) All school areas where tobacco product usage is prohibited shall be clearly marked with "nonsmoking area" signs with bold block lettering at least three inches (3") high stating "Tobacco-Free School — Tobacco Use Prohibited." All school areas where electronic nicotine-delivery system usage is prohibited shall be clearly marked with "nonsmoking area" signs with bold block lettering at least three inches (3") high stating "E-Cigarettes and Vapor Devices Prohibited." There shall be at least one "nonsmoking area" sign, in conformance with the above, at every building entrance and in other areas as designated by the governing body. Signs shall also be posted in every school bus and every school vehicle. Signs as detailed above shall be provided, without charge, by the department of health.

Policy Type
Statute