2015 -- H 5701

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LC000389

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - PHARMACIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Tanzi, Ackerman, Regunberg, and

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings and Direction. The general assembly hereby finds and

declares as follows:

     (1) Pharmacies in Rhode Island are a critical component of the state’s health care system

and help to promote the health of the state’s population; and

     (2) Pharmacies and pharmacists play an important role in helping patients understand

their health and treatment plans prescribed by health care providers; and

     (3) Tobacco and tobacco products are inherently dangerous and potentially deadly; and

     (4) The sale of tobacco products is incompatible with the mission of health care

institutions because it is detrimental to public health and undermines efforts to educate patients on

the safe and effective use of medication.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 5-19.1 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmacies" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     5-19.1-32. Prohibition on sale of tobacco. -- Any retail establishment that includes a

pharmacy shall be prohibited from selling, giving or offering any tobacco in the form of

cigarettes, bidi cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, flavored cigars known as "blunts", unflavored

"blunts", flavored and unflavored blunt wraps, cigarette rolling papers of any size or composition,

cigarillos, and tiparillos, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, or snuff.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - PHARMACIES

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     This act would prohibit the sale of tobacco at any retail establishment which has a

pharmacy in the location.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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