Rhode Island Highlights

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Rhode Island. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Rhode Island’s elected officials:

During the 2023 Rhode Island legislative session the American Lung Association weighed in on seven tobacco-related bills. During the early days of session, the Lung Association advocated for increased tobacco control, prevention, and enforcement funding to be included in the Governors fiscal year 2024 proposed budget and had successful hearings on legislation that would enable pharmacists to prescribe FDA-approved smoking cessation therapies. The pharmacists prescribing authority passed in the House of Representatives but was never moved forward for a vote in the Senate. In Spring 2023, there were multiple hearings on legislation that would close a nearly 20-year-old loophole and make casinos smokefree. The Lung Association worked to support dozens of casino employees and share their stories in hopes of successful passage – neither Chamber held a vote before session ended.

Tobacco Free Rhode Island (TFRI), a grant funded through the Department of Health and administered by the Lung Association, led Rhode Island’s statewide youth tobacco movement by empowering individuals aged 12-21 to become Tobacco Free Ambassadors. The youth-led program focused on tobacco's impacts on health, the environment, and social justice, inspiring "Gen Zer's" to educate their peers at school, out in the community, and at a state-level. Ambassadors marched to the statehouse in April using their voices to educate lawmakers.

In April 2023, the Lung Association led a Day of Action alongside state partners at the Rhode Island State House. The day started with a day-long training of youth advocates and ended with more than 60 advocates gathering at the State House for a press conference with medical professionals, legislator champions, and youth speakers. Following the press conference, advocates found their legislators on the House and Senate floor to educate them on the importance of smokefree casinos and adequately funding tobacco control and prevention.

Looking ahead to 2024, the American Lung Association calls on Rhode Island policy makers now more than ever, to adequately fund tobacco control efforts at or above the CDC-recommended level to ensure all Rhode Islanders are protected from a lifetime of tobacco dependence and disease.