Strippers to rally against smoking ban

Women in Trenton, New Jersey, who take off their clothes for a living apparently want to keep strip clubs shrouded in veils of cigarette smoke.

Galvanised by two radio disc jockeys, about 100 strippers were expected to rally today at the Statehouse against New Jersey’s new ban on indoor smoking in public places.

The ban, which affects bars and restaurants – but not casinos – is to be signed into law on Sunday.

“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.

About an hour before the rally was set to begin, a small crowd of people was already milling in front of the Statehouse and music was blaring.

If any strippers were present, they weren’t dressed for work.

Carton and co-host Ray Rossi have garnered headlines in the past.

They started out the year by making disparaging comments about Governor Richard Codey’s wife, who has talked publicly of her struggle with postpartum depression.

Both said they opposed the anti-smoking legislation because the government should not be in the business of telling people how to live their lives, and such legislation, if applied at all, should be applied fairly without exemptions for casinos.

They 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.

Carton said: “Strippers get people’s attention.”