Posted on 01/28/2013 8:39:50 AM PST by thirst4truth
Trying to quit smoking? You might want to move to Oregon. A new bill would classify cigarettes as a Schedule III controlled substance, making them illegal to purchase without a doctor’s prescription.
Portland Rep. Mitch Greenlick introduced the bill in the Oregon State Legislature in an attempt to reduce the number of addicted people, but has received criticism from smokers and non-smokers alike who believe the initiative is not feasible.
Under Greenlick’s proposal, smokers would be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to one year’s imprisonment and a $6,250 fine for being caught with a cigarette or any of the other Schedule III controlled substances, including ketamine, lysergic acid and anabolic steroids.
The bill also prohibits the State Board of Pharmacy from adopting rules that exempt any nicotine products from the legislation, which would include chewing tobacco, nicotine patches and gums, among others. Law enforcement agencies would have the right to inspect all products that they believe might contain nicotine.
“A person commits the crime of unlawful possession of nicotine if the person knowingly possesses more than 0.1 milligram of nicotine,” the legislation states. The law would not apply to anyone who was prescribed nicotine by a doctor in the course of professional practice.
Oregon has had a 48 percent decrease in per-capita cigarette consumption from fiscal year 1996 to 2009, but still sells billion of cigarettes each year. In 2007, there were nearly 7,000 tobacco-related deaths in the state.
“I hope [the bill] passes and I hope people actually think about it,” Rick Cannon of Salem told KPTV. “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.”
The average Oregon smoker spending $1,825 on cigarettes each year. The most recent statistics by the Oregon Department of Public Health show that 17.5 percent of the state population smokes on a daily basis, which significantly contributes to the annual death toll.
But even though cigarettes are a major health concern in the state, making them illegal would simply anger lifelong smokers and turn them into criminals.
“I think it’s pretty crazy,” Juan Silva of Salem told KPTV. “I don’t see it going through. It’s going to be something to watch for, but I don’t think it’ll pass.”
Passing such a bill would also prompt criminals to begin illegally selling cigarettes in Oregon, where they would be able to charge potential buyers more than in other states. Addicted smokers would pay large amounts of money to get ahold of cigarettes.
“There is little doubt in my mind that such a law would turn Oregon into a combat zone,” wrote Policy Mic blogger Michael Suede.
Additionally, Oregon state would lose some of its tax revenue, since it currently receives about $1.18 per pack of cigarettes.
“I don’t expect this law to actually get passed, but if it does, I suppose it will be fun to watch an entire state implode from violent warfare brought about by the sociopathy of its politicians,” Suede wrote.
$5 for a pack of smokes, and $150 for the doctor visit. Which would require the doctor to violate the Hippocratic Oath in any case. (”First, do no harm.”)
New Oregon law helping the black market and loses tax money.
...you can get pot and wrap your car around a tree on the way home. Lawyers will circle like vultures.....????....wait they already are...oh I see.
/johnny
I liked the last line:
“I don’t expect this law to actually get passed, but if it does, I suppose it will be fun to watch an entire state implode from violent warfare brought about by the sociopathy of its politicians,” Suede wrote.
Actually, when an entire state implodes from violent warfare, history tends to consider these times “non-fun”. Mr. Suede should read Mr. Hobbes.
Let me guess, a Democrat perhaps?
Suppose hussein shows up?
Folks who sell cigarettes in states bordering Oregon would love it.
Bet the Don’t even think of opening up a bar in that sad state because you know that’s next. Bet Salem the nut that’s proposing this is a refugee from Kalifornia.
Brilliant!
Anyone out there smoke only on a weekly, monthly or even yearly basis?
Now, why or what is the basis on which a doctor would prescribe someone cigarettes?
Will these prescriptions be for a pack of fags or a carton? will there be a 2x refill option?
While we're at it, beer drinkers should get a prescription.
Bud light or light bud?
Hmmmm.... I would think smokers would be pushing for this to pass. If tobacco is a prescription item, they should be able to get the insurance companies to pay for it (thus pushing up our health care costs even more).
It makes you want to punch liberals right in the face, doesn't it?
I know a goofball that won't eat meat but he drinks milk. I asked him what they should do with the baby boy cows. He looked at me like I had asked him the explain string theory.
Just wanted to add:
Coffee drinkers,beware!
They’re coming after you next! ROFL
Oh yes, a democrat for sure looked up his website. And Oregon is now receiving $1.18 tax on every pack sold!
I'M a smoker. If I live in Nevada and drive to Oregon am I now a criminal and subject fine and inprisionment? Regardless of the answer there may be an equal protection problem.
CC
Don’t even think of opening up a bar in that sad state because you know that’s next. Bet Cannon and Greenlick are both nuts from Kalifornia. Oregon grows other nuts besides pecans.
Apologize for double dip
“... if I live in Nevada and drive to Oregon...”
Just be sure you pay cash and do not use a credit card. A whole lot of Marylanders had to pay the state money after the state went on a fishing trip for cigs purchased online/out of state. One gal I know had to pay back several thousand dollars.
Visualize this. All smokers will move to the border of Oregon so that when they step outside for a smoke, they’ll be in another State.
In order for non smokers to enter Oregon, first they’ll have to pass through the smoke filled border. ha ha ha
Oh, yeah...he’s a commie...er DEM....and so is this whacko...check HER out....
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