Brothels should be exempt from Australia’s tough anti-smoking laws because its a tradition for prostitutes and their customers to enjoy a cigarette together after having sex, an industry lobby group said on Sunday.
The Australian Adult Entertainment Industry (AAEI) argues that working girls and their clients shouldn’t have to leave the brothel to light up.
”These smoking laws are going to drive women back onto the streets courtesy of the health minister,” the AAEI’s William Albon told Melbourne’s Sun Herald. ”People smoke when they drink, and people smoke when they fornicate.”
Albon said brothels were culturally different from other workplaces and should be exempt from tough new anti-smoking legislation that takes effect next year.
”Among brothel customers there will be virulent opposition to this smoking ban,” Albon said. ”So unless we get an exemption you can bet there will be complaints.” – Sapa-DPA