Rhode Island’s Flavor Ban Is Failing Smokers — White Horse Vapor Brings the Truth to the State House
On October 21st, White Horse Vapor hosted a sponsored advocacy event inside the Rhode Island State House to respectfully address the growing fallout from the state’s flavored vapor ban, which went into effect January 1st, 2025. With three White Horse Vapor representatives in attendance, joined by our dedicated State Advocate, the event aimed to deliver a clear message: the flavor ban is hurting Rhode Islanders, not helping them.
Throughout the evening, various Rhode Island House Representatives stopped in for direct, open discussions about the unintended—and very real—consequences the ban has had on public health, small businesses, and state revenue. While public policy should protect citizens, especially youth, the current ban is instead driving adults back toward combustible cigarettes—the very products responsible for the overwhelming majority of tobacco-related disease and death.
The Most Concerning Trend: More Adults Returning to Cigarettes
One of the points that resonated most strongly with House members was the unmistakable shift in consumer behavior since the ban took effect.
With flavored vapor products removed from the legal market, many former smokers have reverted back to traditional cigarettes—products that remain fully available, fully flavored, and totally deadly.
White Horse Vapor stressed that this shift isn’t theoretical. It’s measurable, visible, and something our concerned retail and community partners report daily. Adult consumers who relied on flavored vapor as a reduced-harm alternative now have fewer options—and many end up back where they started, with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
For lawmakers who value evidence-based harm reduction, this point was especially powerful and hard to ignore.
A Major Hit to Rhode Island’s Tax Revenue
Rhode Island’s vapor industry once contributed millions in annual tax revenue. Today, with the flavor ban in place, here are the negative results:
- Specialty vape shops have closed with more to come
- Taxable product sales have plummeted.
- Many purchases have shifted to out-of-state or online gray markets, where Rhode Island collects zero revenue.
This isn’t just bad for businesses—it’s bad for the entire state budget. Several House Representatives expressed legitimate concerns that the 2025 ban is undermining Rhode Island’s financial stability without delivering clear public health benefits! Clearly it’s time to change direction!
Small Businesses Are Paying the Price
White Horse Vapor also highlighted the casualties within the local retail vaping sector:
- Specialty shops being forced to lay off staff
- Independent stores shutting down entirely
- Wholesale and distribution partners losing long-standing accounts
What was once a thriving small-business ecosystem supporting hundreds of Rhode Island workers is now rapidly dwindling. Lawmakers were particularly attentive to the local economic impact, noting that these businesses were not only compliant but also essential in preventing youth access through rigorous proper ID verification procedures.
Adults Losing Access to Harm-Reduction Tools
Perhaps the most important and impactful message we delivered is the one that affects people’s lives and health:
Flavors matter for adults trying to quit smoking! They are NOT for kids!
Numerous clinical studies clearly show that adults are more likely to successfully walk away from cigarette smoking when they have access to a variety of non-tobacco flavored vape alternatives. Removing those options pushes people back toward combustible products, which are significantly more harmful. Ask any smoker … they’ll undoubtedly tell you they want to quit but cannot! We want to be allowed to continue helping smokers quit their habit.
Our representatives shared real examples from customers across Rhode Island who have struggled since the ban, underscoring the urgent need for policies that support, not hinder, adult smoking cessation.
Next Steps: Working Toward Legislative Change in 2026
The purpose of the event was not only to educate, but also to lay the groundwork for legislative action. Let’s get it done in 2026!
White Horse Vapor and our State Advocate actively discussed the possibility of introducing a new bill to reverse or revise the flavor ban when the next legislative session opens in 2026.
Multiple House members expressed openness to reviewing updated data, listening to constituent stories, and exploring a more balanced, evidence-based regulatory model.
Rhode Island does not need to choose between protecting youth and supporting adult harm reduction—both goals can coexist with smart, targeted regulation.
White Horse Vapor Remains Committed to Rhode Island
As a long standing North Providence–based company, White Horse Vapor is committed to standing up for:
- Rhode Island consumers
- Rhode Island businesses
- Rhode Island jobs
- And Rhode Island’s right to evidence-based public health policy
The October 21st State House advocacy event was just the beginning. We will continue working closely with lawmakers, partners, and public health advocates to ensure that adults who choose reduced-risk alternatives are not penalized by policies that ultimately benefit the combustible cigarette market.
Rhode Islanders deserve better—and we’re committed to helping deliver it.