N.J. Strippers Protest Indoor Smoking Ban

[Sarah_Jayne]

N.J. Strippers Protest Indoor Smoking Ban

TRENTON, N.J. - With curious officeworkers gawking and strip-bar standards playing in the background, several hundred people joined a handful of exotic dancers in front of the Statehouse on Thursday to rally against New Jersey's new indoor smoking ban.

About 20 of the women ? who, to the disappointment of some in the crowd, didn't reveal anything more risque than their midriffs ? said the ban will result in lost clients and lost money.

"It's going to murder our business," said Dominique Hernandez, 24, who dances at a lounge in Florence. "A lot of people want to get off of work, have a drink and a smoke and watch some pretty girls. There's nothing wrong with that."

Apparently not, judging by the looks Hernandez ? in tight jeans and a revealing black T-shirt ? received from onlookers.

"I'm just passing by on the way to the office," was the refrain from many men, and some women, in the crowd.

But many said they came to protest the smoking ban, saying it was a violation of their rights.

"I've been a smoker since I was 13 and it's really against our rights," said Allan Brophy, 24, of Union. "Pretty soon they're going to be outlawing it in our houses."

Brophy did admit that word of strippers at the rally had "piqued my interest."

The rally, trumpeted by two radio shock jocks, featured signs that read "Defy Anti-Smoking Nazis" and "Tobacco Control Is Out of Control." In the background, a loudspeaker blared typical strip bar tunes such as "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "Girls, Girls, Girls."

"We're standing up for the average Jersey citizen who on their own would never be heard," said Craig Carton, one of the radio hosts on New Jersey 101.5.

The ban, which affects bars and restaurants ? but not gambling areas of casinos ? is to be signed into law Sunday by Gov. Richard J. Codey.

The strippers and their supporters said they oppose the ban, which is designed to protect employees and customers from second-hand smoke, because it will hurt business.

Alan Blumenfeld, owner of a Mount Holly club described as a "gentlemen's day care center," said the smoking ban will drive away customers, who he said will cross the Delaware River to Philadelphia, where there are no such bans.

"It's about camaraderie. It's the way it's been for hundreds of years," Blumenfeld said. "The guys who signed the Declaration of Independence were smokers."

The raucous crowd often interrupted the speakers ? who included club owners and the radio hosts ? with shouts of "Codey Don't Sign" and expletives proclaiming their dislike for the ban.

At one point, the crowd fell silent for the singing of the national anthem, which ended with the strippers saluting and many in the crowd waving baseball caps and cowboy hats while chanting "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

Codey, who was holding an unrelated news conference inside the Statehouse while the rally was taking place, joked that he would make his event quick so reporters could go outside. But, he said, the protest wouldn't change his vow to sign the legislation.

"It's been a long time since I've been in one of those establishments, I assure you, but smoking is deadly without question," Codey said.

Carton and co-host Ray Rossi have garnered headlines in the past. Last year, they made disparaging comments about Codey's wife, who has talked publicly of her struggle with postpartum depression.

Before the rally, the radio hosts said they decided to team up with strippers to spotlight the issue because strip clubs would be the first businesses to be hurt under the anti-smoking legislation.

And, said Carton, "Strippers get people's attention."

Thursday's rally took take place one week into the winter ratings period for radio stations.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060113/..._ban_strippers

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