Section 44-20.1-3 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Age verification requirements(a) No person, including but not limited to online retailers, shall mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes, other tobacco products, or electronic nicotine-delivery systems in connection with a delivery sale unless such person prior to the first delivery sale to such purchaser: (1) Obtains from the prospective purchaser a certification that includes: (i) A reliable confirmation that the purchaser is at least the legal minimum sales age; and(ii) A statement signed by the prospective purchaser in writing that certifies the prospective purchaser's address and that the purchaser is at least twenty-one (21) years of age. Such statement shall also confirm: (A) That the prospective purchaser understands that signing another person's name to such certification is illegal;(B) That the sale of cigarettes to individuals under the legal minimum sales age is illegal; and
(C) That the prospective consumer wants to receive mailings from a tobacco company;(2) Makes a good faith effort to verify the information contained in the certification provided by the prospective consumer pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section against a commercially available database, or obtains a photocopy or other image of the valid, government-issued identification stating the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order;(3) Provides to the prospective purchaser, via e-mail or other means, a notice that meets the requirements of § 44-20.1-4; and(4) In the case of an order for cigarettes and/or other tobacco products, and/or electronic nicotine-delivery system products pursuant to an advertisement on the internet, receives payment for the delivery sale from the prospective purchaser by a credit or debit card that has been issued in such purchaser's name or by check.(b) Persons accepting purchase orders for delivery sales may request that the prospective purchasers provide their e-mail addresses.(c) The division of taxation, in consultation with the department of health, may promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to this section.R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20.1-3
Amended by 2024 Pub. Laws, ch. 117,§ 6-19, eff. 1/1/2025. P.L. 2005 , ch. 346, § 2; P.L. 2005 , ch. 392, § 2.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.