Rhode Island General Laws 44-20-2. Importer, distributor, and dealer licenses required – Licenses required
Each person engaging in the business of selling cigarette and/or any tobacco products in this state, including any 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 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 663, § 2; P.L. 1951, ch. 2867, § 1; P.L. 1952, ch. 3007, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-20-2; P.L. 1968, ch. 263, art. 8, § 2; P.L. 1978, ch. 167, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 246, § 3; P.L. 2007, ch. 250, § 3; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 21, § 6.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 44-20-2
- Administrator: means the tax administrator;
(2) "Cigarettes" means and includes any cigarettes suitable for smoking in cigarette form, and each sheet of cigarette rolling paper, including but not limited to, paper made into a hollow cylinder or cone, made with paper or any other material, with or without a filter suitable for use in making cigarettes;
(3) "Dealer" means any person whether located within or outside of this state, who sells or distributes cigarettes and/or other tobacco products to a consumer in this state;
(4) "Distributor" means any person:
(A) Whether located within or outside of this state, other than a dealer, who sells or distributes cigarettes and/or other tobacco products within or into this state. See Rhode Island General Laws 44-20-1
- Licensed: when used with reference to a manufacturer, importer, distributor or dealer, means only those persons who hold a valid and current license issued under § 44-20-2 for the type of business being engaged in. See Rhode Island General Laws 44-20-1
- Person: means any individual, including an employee or agent, firm, fiduciary, partnership, corporation, trust, or association, however formed;
(10) "Pipe" means an apparatus made of any material used to burn or vaporize products so that the smoke or vapors can be inhaled or ingested by the user;
(11) "Place of business" means any location where cigarettes and/or other tobacco products are sold, stored, or kept, including, but not limited to; any storage room, attic, basement, garage or other facility immediately adjacent to the location. See Rhode Island General Laws 44-20-1