R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20-2
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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20-2