Activists protest Schwarzenegger's smoking
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Imi Hirschinger protests Gov. Schwarzenegger's efforts to bring smoking back to the California State Capitol building.
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SACRAMENTO, California (AP) -- Anti-tobacco groups on Saturday protested Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to return the smoke-filled room to California's political lexicon.
To comply with the state's strict smoking laws, the cigar-loving Schwarzenegger is converting the Capitol's interior courtyard into an all-weather "smoking plaza" where he can entertain lawmakers and other power brokers.
"It's a more positive environment where they can all be on an equal footing, as opposed to everyone going into the governor's office where he's behind his desk," Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh said.
But some protesters said Schwarzenegger is undermining California's precedent-setting efforts to cut tobacco use and its staggering health and financial costs.
The Republican governor makes no secret of his appreciation of an expensive stogie. Schwarzenegger, who took office in November, has twice appeared on the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine.
That sends the wrong signal, particularly to young fans of the screen star-turned-politician, said Laurie Comstock, founder of Tobacco Survivors United.
"It makes it look cool," said Comstock, who helped organize Saturday's rally outside the Capitol.
About two dozen protesters gathered displaying photographs of prominent dead smokers, including actors and politicians; a headstone labeled "Your Name Here;" and tolling a bell made from an old oxygen tank.
A mannequin's hand holding a large plastic cigar protruded from a body bag on a hospital gurney.
Protester Jim Walker called Schwarzenegger "a poster boy for cigar smoking."
"He's a tough guy, but he's always got a cigar in his mouth," said Walker, director of Stop Tobacco Abuse of Minors Pronto.
Saturday's rally also echoed complaints from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.
"We are deeply disappointed at several recent public depictions of your use and promotion of cigars," the groups wrote in a recent letter, "and urge you to refrain from modeling this dangerous habit."
But, Josh Grahek stood upwind at a distance, close enough that the smoke from his cigar wafted over the activists. He carried a cardboard sign reading, "You have too much free time."
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