How does your state compare?

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding Smokefree Air Tobacco Taxes Access to Cessation Services Flavored Tobacco Products
F C B B D
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding F
Smokefree Air C
Tobacco Taxes B
Access to Cessation Services B
Flavored Tobacco Products D

The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Rhode Island's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:

  1. Ensure all Rhode Islanders have a smokefree workplace by establishing smokefree casinos;
  2. Establish tax parity for all tobacco products and fund tobacco control programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended level; and
  3. Establish pharmacists prescribing authority for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation medication.

Rhode Island Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.

Rhode Island Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.

Highlights Laws & Policies Historical Data
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

   
Overall Grade F
FY2024 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs:$429,205
FY2024 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$1,383,858*
FY2024 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$1,813,063
CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $12,800,000
Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 14.2%
State Tobacco-Related Revenue: $188,900,000

*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Help Fight Tobacco Use

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Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

   
Overall Grade F
FY2024 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs:$429,205
FY2024 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$1,383,858*
FY2024 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$1,813,063
CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $12,800,000
Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 14.2%
State Tobacco-Related Revenue: $188,900,000

*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Help Fight Tobacco Use

Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.

Take Action
Smokefree Air
Thumbs Up

Thumbs down for Rhode Island for failing to pass legislation to close the loophole for casinos in its smokefree air law.

Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:

Overall Grade C
Government Workplaces: Prohibited
Private Workplaces: Prohibited
Schools: Prohibited
Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
Restaurants: Prohibited
Bars: Prohibited (allowed in smoking bars)
Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Allowed in designated areas
Retail Stores: Prohibited
E-Cigarettes Included: Yes
Preemption/Local Opt-Out: Yes

Citation: R.I. GEN. LAWS §§ 23-20.10-1 et seq. (2018).

Help Fight Tobacco Use

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Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:

Overall Grade C
Government Workplaces: Prohibited
Private Workplaces: Prohibited
Schools: Prohibited
Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
Restaurants: Prohibited
Bars: Prohibited (allowed in smoking bars)
Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Allowed in designated areas
Retail Stores: Prohibited
E-Cigarettes Included: Yes
Preemption/Local Opt-Out: Yes

Citation: R.I. GEN. LAWS §§ 23-20.10-1 et seq. (2018).

Help Fight Tobacco Use

Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.

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Tobacco Taxes

Tobacco Taxes

Overall Grade B
Cigarette Tax per pack of 20:$4.25
Tax on little cigars:Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No
Tax on large cigars:Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No
Tax on smokeless tobacco:Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes
Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco:Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No
Tax on E-Cigarettes:Equalized: N/A; Weight-Based: N/A

Help Fight Tobacco Use

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Tobacco Taxes

Overall Grade B
Cigarette Tax per pack of 20:$4.25
Tax on little cigars:Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No
Tax on large cigars:Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No
Tax on smokeless tobacco:Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes
Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco:Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No
Tax on E-Cigarettes:Equalized: N/A; Weight-Based: N/A

Help Fight Tobacco Use

Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.

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Access to Cessation Services

Access to Cessation Services

Overview of State Cessation Coverage:

         
Overall Grade B
State Medicaid Program:
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling: All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Some barriers exist to access care
Medicaid Expansion:Yes
State Employee Health Plan(s):
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling:All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:No barriers exist to access care
State Quitline:
Investment Per Smoker:$1.91; the median investment per smoker is $1.93
Other Cessation Provisions:
Private Insurance Mandate:Partial mandate
Tobacco Surcharge:Prohibits tobacco surcharges

Citation: See Rhode Island Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.

Help Fight Tobacco Use

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Access to Cessation Services

Overview of State Cessation Coverage:

         
Overall Grade B
State Medicaid Program:
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling: All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Some barriers exist to access care
Medicaid Expansion:Yes
State Employee Health Plan(s):
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling:All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:No barriers exist to access care
State Quitline:
Investment Per Smoker:$1.91; the median investment per smoker is $1.93
Other Cessation Provisions:
Private Insurance Mandate:Partial mandate
Tobacco Surcharge:Prohibits tobacco surcharges

Citation: See Rhode Island Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.

Help Fight Tobacco Use

Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.

Take Action
Flavored Tobacco Products

Flavored Tobacco Products

Overall Grade D
Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: All flavored e-cigarettes prohibited in all locations

Help Fight Tobacco Use

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Flavored Tobacco Products

Overall Grade D
Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: All flavored e-cigarettes prohibited in all locations

Help Fight Tobacco Use

Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.

Take Action