Welcome to the Nanny States of America; Part Two. In the first part of this series on tobacco tyranny, I painted a broad historical picture.  In this installment, I'm going to get more granular and address some of the more salient points regarding the use of taxes on tobacco, the structures placed upon we tobacco users, plus a couple of the regulations we are heretofore forced to comply with.

Let us start with the smoking bans: Like many movements the smoking ban seemed to start in California beginning with their original cry of “…to save the children.” Like Paul Revere shouting the “British are coming” the “It’s for the children” was heard across the country.

Who would not want to save a child? Don’t get me wrong: I am all for saving the children. And let's admit it, some marketing of tobacco products were questionable as to their intended target audience.

Read more: The Nanny States of America - Part Two

Welcome to the United Nanny States of America: One nation, under the tobacco ban, divisible by the government, with liberty and justice for some, definitely not all.

When our Founding Fathers created the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, it was the freedom from a tyrannical government in which was the ultimate Nanny State.  Taxation without representation, laws enacted to protect government control over the people.  Our Founding Fathers, risked their own lives, fortunes, liberty, and freedom.  They fought to free us from such oppression.

If they could see us now, could they – or would they – not be horrified to how far we’ve fallen away from their initial vision of this country’s potential?  In the words of Benjamin Martin (as portrayed by Mel Gibson) from The Patriot, ''Why should I trade a tyrant 3,000 miles away for 3,000 tyrants one mile away?''  Is this not what we’ve already done? 

Tobacco, Guns, and Tyranny

The Constitution is based on natural law – the people’s right to govern themselves, to the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness granted to all American citizens.  Your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins, right?  If this is so, then why are my rights as an adult legal tobacco user being taken away?

Read more: The Nanny States of America; Part One

Planes, trains and rental cars, oh my.  I have been a smoker for a good 25 years at least.   In recent years, I've discovered Swedish snus.   Snus helps me though those times when the Anti-Tobacco Nazi’s have forbidden my adult, personal decision to use legal tobacco products but at their own peril.   Snus keeps me from ripping their heads off for preaching at me about my use of tobacco; especially cigarettes.

Read more: Women: Still Second-Class Citizens when it comes to Tobacco?

As I read my husband’s latest article I figured I should put in my own two cents about my recent trip and the Fellinni White Mini Portions.

Hi, I’m Catherine DeMarsh-Hellwig; also known as Mrs .Mick. Now that Mick is a big time famous columnist he spends most of his time on our computer, reading, researching, writing, and playing Civi Balls.  Trying to wrestle the computer away is not an easy task to do, so I had to get sneaky. After he went to bed I searched around the computer desk and found his password list hidden in an empty can of Ettan lös in the back of a drawer. So I thought it would be a great idea to add a guest article to his column. See how long it takes him to notice. No telling him: that would be cheating.

Recently I was forced to take a 4 hour trip on a Greyhound Bus to visit family in a neighboring state for my Uncle’s Memorial and of course one cannot smoke in the station or on the bus. As this was my first time riding a bus anywhere I was a little nervous about my trip. Luckily, before boarding I did make a couple of new friends who also were smokers. (And if by chance they are reading this… thanks for your company and letting me rattle to you on the way to my stop. I hope you made it home safe!)

Read more: Mrs. Mick on Fellinni Snus, Greyhound Buses...and cigarettes