Bill proposed in Oregon would make cigarettes prescription-only drugs

[samspade]

ALEM, 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.

http://www.kptv.com/story/20662618/bill-proposed-in-oregon-would-make-cigarettes-prescription-only-drugs

For years smoking has been attacked and businesses have gotten to the point where they do not allow smoking within their walls.
 
Meanwhile some over zealous politicians have called for even telling people they can not smoke in their own homes.

Now this, the latest attempt to force people to comply to some politician's sense of controlling the populace---Just like gun control advocates who would strip ownership from citizens, this would eliminate smoking.

[marv]

...but marijuana seems to be okay! Go figger.........

[tac]

Someone is going to make a lot of bucks in the ciggy black market.

[JohnnyReb]

Someone is going to make a lot of bucks in the ciggy black market.

And it's somewhat easier to grow and hide. Looks like poke-salad and has no infrared signature.

[Linda]

[sarcasm on]More people are harmed by drunk drivers that are harmed by a cigarette...when are they going to demand that alcohol is bought by prescription only? Maybe we can buy our guns and ammo by prescription only, or maybe because of all the deaths by cars we can get our cars by prescription only?[/sarcasm off]

[Karin]

Widely panned by commenters and the poll.  I doubt this would pass, or even gain traction. 

I read once, "Rest assured, liberals will always overreach.  Always."  I think it's what make the pendulum swing, as it does. 

[thundley4]

The government, state and federal make too much money from taxes on tobacco for this to ever pass.  Unless there is a provision for selling the prescriptions to even make more money, it won't fly.

[Rebel]

People, this is Progressivism in a nutshell. Total control.

[Gina]

I thought prescriptions from dr's were to make your health better? 

[Dori]

No doubt this will get tucked away in the Unaffordable Health Care Act