Business owner says Rhode Island vape ban could impact hundreds of local shops

PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) — The Rhode Island General Assembly is reminding local businesses of a new law for vapes in 2025.

All flavored nicotine vapes are banned across the state starting Jan. 1.

Syed Afzaal, owner of Yorktown Market in North Kingstown, said he felt the law could be a “death sentence” for hundreds of small businesses.

“I can foresee already there is about to be 500-700 store closures coming,” Afzaal said. “Rhode Island should not have issued any of those licenses if they were planning to ban a specific aspect of the business.”

ABC6 News spoke with several individuals about the new law, and they expressed conflicting perspectives.

“I think my initial reaction is, that’s kind of evil,” Kelsey Lavin said. “I think people should be allowed to decide what they want to put into their bodies or not.”

“I think it’s a good thing,” Blake Rogers said. “Often with the flavored vape cartridges, they could be marketed to kids, and I know a lot of my friends did it, and it just has a lot of negative health effects.”

The Rhode Island Department of Health said health risks from vaping can include memory issues, lung problems and heart complications.

Officials add that sweet, candy-like flavors mask the taste and effects of tobacco use, which makes it easier for kids to get hooked.

Afzaal said there were already age restrictions in place, and argued that the law infringes on the rights of the consumer.

“My aspect is that when you take away one thing, which is not even minor-related anymore, it’s 21-plus,” Afzaal said. “21 is a very grown individual to understand if they want to buy flavored or not, like the alcohol industry is allowed all of these flavors.”

Afzaal said he sold his two Rhode Island stores since he knew the ban was coming, and is looking to move his business out of state.

He said he believes many other business owners may leave Rhode Island as well.