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:

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

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declares as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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the safe and effective use of medication.

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

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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

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

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

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

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

 

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     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

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pharmacy in the location.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000389

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