February 15, 2017 Patrick Lagreid Age Restrictions,  Regulations

Central Falls Close to Becoming First City in Rhode Island to Raise Tobacco Age to 21

Rhode Island could soon have its first city to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, as on Monday the Central Falls City Council passed an ordinance that attempt to restrict tobacco to teenagers.

While the city has yet to post the ordinance, WJAR-TV reports that it still needs the mayor’s signature, which if it gets, will put the increase into effect on April 1. There has also been no mention fines or other punishments or if it applies to all nicotine delivery products. Currently, retailers can face a fine of up to $100 for selling to a person under the current age of 18.

This isn’t the first time that the issue of raising the minimum age has come up in the state, however, as in 2016 a pair of bills were introduced in the state legislature seeking an increase to 21. Both bills died in committee. The matter has not yet come back to the state General Assembly, though WPRI-TV reports that it is due to be introduced this session as well.

Central Falls is home to just under 20,000 residents and is located approximately seven miles north of Providence.

Central Falls Providence County Rhode Island tobacco purchasing age
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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.

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