PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Many candidates would shy away from any hint they inhabit smoke-filled rooms, but not Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.

He was the "grateful'' beneficiary of a $100-a-head fundraiser hosted for him on Thursday night at a Federal Hill smoking bar, aptly known as Smoke, that is co-owned by state Rep. Peter Petrarca, D-Lincoln, Mediterraneo restaurant owner Gianfranco Marrocco and Lauren Morales.

While smoking is banned in the overwhelming majority of bars and restaurants across the state, lawmakers carved out exceptions from the beginning for the state's two slot parlors, Twin River and Newport Grand, and smoking bars that derived at least half of their revenue from the sale of tobacco for use on the premises. (Smoke is both a smoking bar, and restaurant and open-air nightclub.)

Lynch, who has declared his intention to run for governor, is a former lobbyist for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. His campaign spokesman Adam Roach also describes him as a nonsmoker.

Asked if Lynch had any qualms about raising money at a smokers' lounge, Roach said Lynch is "gratified by the friendship and support shown to him'' by Petracra, Marrocco and Morales, and "grateful for the hospitality and support shown by these friends when they hosted an event at their beautiful Federal Hill establishment Smoke this past Thursday in preparation for a 2010 race." Roach said the proceeds are still being tallied.