R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20-2 — Manufacturer, importer, distributor, and dealer licenses required — Licenses required

(a) Each manufacturer engaging in the business of selling any cigarette and/or any other
tobacco products, except for cigars, and/or electronic nicotine-delivery system products
in this state shall secure a license, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law,
from the administrator before engaging in that business, or continuing to engage in
it.
(b) Each person engaging in the business of selling cigarette and/or any other tobacco
products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products in this state, including
any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or dealer, shall secure a license from the
administrator before engaging in that business, or continuing to engage in it. A separate
application and license is required for each place of business operated by a distributor,
manufacturer, importer, or dealer; provided, that an operator of vending machines
for cigarette products is not required to obtain a distributor’s license for each
machine. If the applicant for a license does not have a place of business in this
state, the license shall be issued for such applicant’s principal place of business,
wherever located. A licensee shall notify the administrator within thirty (30) days
in the event that it changes its principal place of business. A separate license is
required for each class of business if the applicant is engaged in more than one of
the activities required to be licensed by this section. No person shall maintain or
operate or cause to be operated a vending machine for cigarette products without procuring
a dealer’s license for each machine.
(c) Effective January 1, 2025, the administrator shall implement a single license and
renewal application that allows for the licensure of retailers/dealers of cigarettes
and/or any other tobacco products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products
and a separate single license and renewal application that allows for the licensure
of distributors, manufacturers, and importers of cigarettes and/or any other tobacco
products and/or any electronic nicotine-delivery system products.
(d) Immediately following the enactment of this chapter, any electronic nicotine-delivery
system products distributor or dealer, licensed in good-standing by the department
of health pursuant to chapter 1 of title 23, shall be considered licensed for purposes of compliance with this chapter until
the renewal date for such license pursuant to chapter 20 of title 44 occurs; thereafter, such distributors and dealers shall be required to comply with
the license requirements in this chapter.