Symbol of Bipartisanship, Lung Cancer Saved in Capitol

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's beloved "smoking tent," which sits in the center of a damp and mostly shaded inner courtyard in the Capitol, won't be subject to new anti-smoking rules approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor.

Since he can't smoke cigars inside his office, Schwarzenegger erected the tent outside, decorated it in an African jungle theme, and used it frequently to entertain Democratic lawmakers. His aides, including chief of staff Susan Kennedy, have since picked up the macho habit of chomping cigars.

Last week, Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 2067, which prohibits smoking in "common-use" areas such as covered parking lots, adjacent stairwells, lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators and restrooms.

But as Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach) notes, the new law does not apply "to the tent the governor uses to smoke cigars inside a patio area outside his Capitol office." In fact, Oropeza's office made sure to put out a second press release Sunday after realizing they forgot to mention the smoking tent.

(Photo: Julie Peters / AP)