Despite it being in Trenton, N.J., the "100-Stripper March" sounded like a nice day in the sun—something to bring the kids to. It also presented a good opportunity for about a thousand tri-state-area opponents of New Jersey's soon-to-start smoking ban. Rallied by WKXW 101.5 FM afternoon hosts Craig Carton and Ray Rossi—the Jersey Guys—droves came to the New Jersey Statehouse to protest Gov. Richard J. Codey's decision to sign the bill.

Philadelphia knows about smoking bans. But Philly should keep an eye on what small bar and restaurant businesses in the Garden State are witnessing: the unfair and decidedly uncool exemption of that same law where casinos in Atlantic City are concerned.

Carton and Rossi figured that among the blue-collar types who would be affected by anti-smoking legislation, strippers and exotic dancers would be hit hardest. Or at least they'd look good defending their right to peel for guys with nicotine-stained thumbs.

So State Street became, essentially, something akin to a gentleman's club. Screaming men. Less than a hundred strippers. And no drink minimum.

Standing in front of the Statehouse's regally appointed columns, "Dominique" and "Cozie"—two dancers from Illusions on Route 130 in Florence—discussed their worries about dancing in rooms of nonsmokers.

"Illusions won't be so packed if Governor Codey signs that bill," said Dominique, a tall 24-year-old with an olive complexion, dressed in a yellow T-shirt, jeans and work boots. She smokes Newport Menthol regulars. "The majority of the customers who come to Illusions smoke. So does the majority of our staff."

Dominique would not be taking off any clothes today. "I represent a business, therefore I'm not going to degrade myself. We're trying to portray ourselves and our business as respectable, contrary to what the public may think."

Cozie, 23, is a petite blonde with blue eyes. She smokes Marlboro reds, and chose a Catholic schoolgirl outfit for the occasion—she planned to dance on one of the poles provided by 101.5 FM. "But I don't know how far I'm allowed to go where stripping is concerned, protest or otherwise," she said, laughing. "This skirt is pretty mini, though." Cozie isn't happy with having to see her regular customers smoke outside or not show up at all. She's pissed at the hypocrisy of the legislation. "And what freedoms will get yanked after that? I want the governor to give us our rights back."

"That's what it's all about—rights," says Rossi, a usually sarcastic talk host who was humbled and pleased at the turnout. "We knew there'd be this many people. But we're still surprised. This is a serious thing. We may be having fun what with the strippers coming out here. But the bigger picture involves the freedoms that are in jeopardy. You shouldn't try to take away a man's freedom without asking him."

And would he strip down for freedom? "I'd do anything short of sticking that pole up my ass for liberty."