Includes menthol as a flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system product.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would update Rhode Island's tax law to officially classify menthol-flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system (ENDS) products — such as menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and vaping devices — as "flavored" products under state law. Currently, the legal definition of flavored ENDS products may not explicitly include menthol, and this bill would close that gap by adding menthol to the list of flavors covered under existing regulations and taxation rules.

In practical terms, this means that menthol-flavored vaping and e-cigarette products would be treated the same way as other flavored ENDS products when it comes to how they are taxed or regulated in Rhode Island. Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers who sell or handle these products in the state would need to ensure they are complying with the same rules that apply to other flavored products in this category.

The people most directly affected by this bill would be businesses involved in selling or distributing menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and vaping products in Rhode Island, as well as consumers who purchase them. Depending on how existing law treats flavored ENDS products — whether through higher tax rates or other restrictions — this change could affect the price or availability of menthol-flavored vaping products in the state. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.