Oregon lawmaker proposing bill requiring prescription for nicotine

OREGON (WITI) -- An Oregon lawmaker has proposed a bill that would make nicotine a controlled substance -- requiring a prescription for use.

Representative Mitch Greenlick is proposing a bill that would require a prescription for nicotine. Those without a prescription would face a hefty fine of $6,200 or a year in jail.  

As expected, the idea that a doctor will decide whether an individual can smoke seems far-fetched to some. 

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

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

Greenlick, who believes nicotine is as bad as heroin has reportedly admitted that even he doesn't expect the bill to pass, but hoped the idea would bring about more discussion on the dangers of smoking.