Bill proposed in Oregon would make cigarettes prescription-only drugs

KPTV ^ | 01/23/2013 | FOX 12 Webstaff

[Responsibility2nd]

SALEM, OR (KPTV) - If you're a regular smoker, you may want to keep an eye on a new bill in the Oregon Legislature.

Rep. Mitch Greenlick, from Portland, is sponsoring a bill that makes cigarettes a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it would be illegal to possess or distribute cigarettes without a doctor's prescription.

Under the proposal, offenders would face maximum punishments of one year in prison, a $6,250 fine or both.

Other drugs and substances that are considered Schedule III controlled substances are ketamine, lysergic acid and anabolic steroids.

"The State Board of Pharmacy may adopt rules placing requirements and limitations on the sale or transfer of products containing nicotine," the bill's text says.

"I think it's pretty crazy," said Juan Silva of Salem. "I don't see it going through. It's going to be something to watch for, but I don't think it'll pass."

Others see the proposal differently.

"I hope it passes and I hope people actually think about it," said Rick Cannon of Salem. "You know there's less and less smokers everyday because they know how bad it is for them, so I just hope people wake up and realize how bad it actually is for them."

Greenlick also made headlines this week by suggesting a state committee look into the hiring procedure used by the University of Oregon when it named Mark Helfrich the new Ducks head coach.

[metesky]

"I hope it passes and I hope people actually think about it," said Rick Cannon of Salem. "You know there's less fewer and less fewer smokers everyday because they know how bad it is for them, so I just hope people wake up and realize how bad it actually is for them."

I don't know about my fellow FReepers, but I never get health advice from illiterates.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Veggie Todd]

My doctor told me I wasn’t getting enough tar.

Ha. Steve Martin, right?

[SoothingDave]

You are correct.