Prison for Smokers, Permits for Strippers! (Nanny of the Month, Jan '13)

Our nation's nannies, scolds, and buttinskies started 2013 with a renewed hunger to mind other people's business.

One Florida city has banned dog tethering (even on your own property!) and a Texas State Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) wants to license strippers in order to dissuade women from going into that line of work (hey, at least the guy admits that the purpose of occupational licensing is to make it harder for people to do their jobs).

But 2013's first nod goes to the northwest nag whose new bill, if passed, would expand the drug war by categorizing cigarettes as a Schedule III controlled substance (along with LSD). You'd need a doctor's prescription to get your mitts on tobacco products (including cigars), and if you disobey, you could be looking at a fine of $6,250, up to a year in prison, or both!

For reminding us of how far we've come since restaurant smoking bans, the January 2013 Nanny of the Month goes to Oregon Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland)!

(To check out more of Greenlick's body of work, go here.)

A little over 1 minute.

"Nanny of the Month" is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Opening animation by Meredith Bragg.

To watch previous "Nanny of the Month" episodes, go here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DD00E99B83A258A