You know how sometimes nanny state regulations cause conservatives to throw up their hands in exasperation? "At this rate," a few have been known to exclaim, "the only place you'll be allowed to smoke is your own car." Canadians wish they were that lucky:

A Canadian truck driver has been fined for smoking in his vehicle because it is considered his workplace, a police spokeswoman said on Friday. A police officer saw the 48-year-old trucker driving on a highway in southwestern Ontario with a cigarette in his mouth on Wednesday, and gave him a C$305 ($290) ticket. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, adopted in 2006, prohibits smoking in an enclosed workplace or enclosed public area, and that extends to work vehicles... "We enforce the legislation and this truck driver was in violation of that," she said.

At least there's no recent precedent for our federal government financially punishing "unhealthy behavior," including smoking, in the context of health insurance:

A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday adopted a measure aimed at rewarding healthy behavior in a sweeping healthcare overhaul... The Senate Finance Committee voted for an amendment offered by Republican Senator John Ensign and Democrat Thomas Carper that would allow health plans to provide financial incentives for people to quit smoking, exercise more and engage in other healthy activities. "I believe that the key to achieving savings is to provide rewards for people who engage in healthy behaviors," Ensign argued. The measure passed on a 18-4 vote despite concerns expressed by some Democrats as well as committee Chairman Max Baucus that it could raise insurance premiums for people who do not participate in wellness programs.

I like that they're calling them "wellness programs" now but I don't think it's clear enough. Maybe something like "Two Minute Wellness Programs," with guidelines and procedures set down by a federal MiniWell agency. Go bold or go home, ya know?

We've already got Democrats identifying ordinary Americans as "enemies" of successful government health care. Right now their enemies list focuses on scapegoats who stand in the way of passage. Once they shove this crap sandwich down America's throat they'll switch to scapegoating patients for being too expensive because of their "unhealthy behavior." That's what they're ramping up to do and that's the way it always goes.

And just to be clear, there are absolutely no limits to how absurd this will get.

References:
* Canadian trucker fined for smoking on the job [Reuters]
* Health reformers targeting 'enemies' [Wash Times]
* Shh... Massachusetts Proves Mandate-Based Health Reform Will Be A Disaster [MR]
* Bake Sales Fall Victim to Push for Healthier Foods [NYT]

Previously:
* Health Care Coverage
* New Poll: Only 26% Consider Health Reform A Success In Massachusetts
* Health And Human Services Comes To Maryland School, Brings H1N1 Vaccines And Spectacular Failure