East Providence police crack down on illegal flavored vapes
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI. (WPRI) — East Providence police are increasing enforcement of a state law banning the sale of flavored vape products to minors.
The department recently conducted compliance checks in collaboration with the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC).
During these checks, they found one local retailer was in possession of $22,000 worth of prohibited Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) products, commonly known as vapes or e-cigarettes, and had sold them to a minor.
"This is directly impacting the health and well-being of our youth and community," EPPC Coordinator Madeline Marlow said in a press release.
(Courtesy: East Providence Police Department)
Police said they also seized and destroyed more than $13,000 worth of illegal ENDS products in a previous round of compliance checks.
To sell vapes or e-cigarettes in Rhode Island, retailers must have an ENDS license. Additionally, they are required to acknowledge that flavored ENDS products are prohibited in the state and agree not to sell them.
In January, Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation codifying the 2020 Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) ruling that reinforced the ban on flavored ENDS products.
RELATED: 12 things to know about McKee’s $13.7B budget proposal
Read more on RI's ENDS regulations below:
Rhode Island Regulations Prohibit the Sale of Flavored Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) ProductsDownload
Not only are these products illegal in the state, but they are also not FDA-approved. At this time, the FDA has only authorized a total of 27 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products and devices.
In December 2023, the FDA seized 1.4 million illegal e-cigarettes worth more than $18 million.
"Our goal is to eliminate the availability of these harmful products in our community," East Providence Police Sgt. Kelvin Cabrera said.
RELATED: Supreme Court to weigh whether regulators were heavy handed with flavored e-cigarette products
Police issued a warning that any illegal ENDS products will be confiscated in future inspections.
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