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HB 5464

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH AND WORKPLACE SAFETY ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Blazejewski and 6 co-sponsors

The act expands smoking definitions to include ENDS, creates ENDS-specific stores and retail rules, and requires annual Taxation Division registration and oversight.

07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 5464

Summary — HB 5464: Public Health and Workplace Safety Act

Status: Signed by Governor (07/02/2025)
Introduced: February 12, 2025 (filed March 14, 2025)
Committee: House Finance; referred to State Affairs; passed both chambers

Purpose

HB 5464 (Substitute A as amended) updates the “Public Health and Workplace Safety Act” (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 23-20.10) primarily by amending definitional and regulatory language to address electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and related retail establishments. The changes clarify what counts as “smoking,” create specific categories for ENDS businesses, and assign responsibility to the Division of Taxation for certain determinations and registrations.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends sections 23-20.10-2 (definitions) and 23-20.10-6.1 (text not provided in excerpt).
  • Expands the definition of “smoking” to explicitly include electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic nicotine delivery system products, and similar vaporizing or aerosolizing devices. Religious ceremonies that involve burning are excluded.
  • Adds/clarifies multiple definitions related to ENDS and retail:
    • “Electronic nicotine delivery system” (ENDS): defined broadly to include e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookahs, components, and cartridges.
    • “Electronic nicotine delivery system store”: retail stores (excluding mall kiosks) primarily used to sell ENDS products and accessories.
    • “Electronic smoking device establishment”: businesses that sell food or alcohol but whose principal/core business is selling ENDS devices and where combustible substances are prohibited.
    • “Retail tobacco store”: retail establishments primarily selling tobacco or ENDS products, where sales of other products do not exceed 25% of total annual revenue.
  • Revenue thresholds and registration:
    • Electronic smoking device establishments must demonstrate that at least 33% of annual revenue is generated from ENDS sales (quarterly reporting for the first year, then annually).
    • Retail tobacco stores: other products may not exceed 25% of total revenue.
    • Owners of qualifying ENDS establishments must register annually (no later than January 1) with the Division of Taxation, providing owner and establishment contact information.
    • The Division of Taxation is tasked with making determinations under these provisions and issuing any needed rules/forms.

Who is affected

  • ENDS retailers (specialty stores, mall kiosks excluded), bars/restaurants that incorporate ENDS sales into their business model, and retail tobacco stores.
  • Employers and employees in public places and workplaces where vaping/smoking policies are enforced, as the expanded “smoking” definition likely brings ENDS under indoor smoking prohibitions.
  • Division of Taxation (administrative/ enforcement responsibilities).

Procedural timeline and notes

  • Introduced in early 2025, referred to House Finance and State Affairs, recommended for passage, passed both chambers in June 2025, transmitted to and signed by the Governor on July 2, 2025.
  • Summary based on the provided excerpt, which includes the amended definitions section in full but truncates other parts (including 23-20.10-6.1). The bill may contain additional operational or enforcement provisions not shown here.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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