H 7225, a must pass budget bill, was pased by the RI House on June 14 and signed by Governor McKee on June 17. The bill contains a 50c/mL (prefilled pods/disposables) and 10% wholesale tax on vapor products and increases on other smoke-free tobacco products like snus, smokeless tobacco, and heat-not-burn. This bill also codifies the flaovr ban enacted by the RI Department of Health several years ago.

While supporters of these onerous taxes will praise the actions of Rhode Island lawamakers, the real beneficiaries of these policies will be retailers in New Hampshire and informal sellers across New England.