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GATLINBURG -- Weighing in at a mere 145 pounds, Ira Lapides hopes he won't have to wait too long before the national media recognize his hunger strike.

"I won't have long before I starve," he said.The Gatlin-Burlier Tobacconist owner is preparing to give up food Thursday until he isgiven a chance by the national electronic media to tell tobacco smokers' side of the story. And he's asking the rest of Gatlinburg to give up food with him -- at least for one meal.

According to a proclamation, the city of Gatlinburg, in support of the right of free speech and equal access, encourages members of the community to skip lunch on Thursday in recognition of Lapides' hunger strike. The city is supporting his quest to be allowed equal access on the national podium.

"The official 'uneat lunch' will be held at Ryan's Pub," Lapides said. "Anyone who would like to join me in a beverage should meet me at the Wendy's entrance at the Mountain Mall around lunch time. This will be the start of my hunger strike."

Lapides, who holds a doctorate in economics, has been trying to POST an appearance on the Phil Donahue Show since February 1992. He has sent producers of the show a Christmas card and petition containing several thousands of signatures.

He has also sent recommendation letters to producers from some of the area's local politicians, business owners and citizens, all testifying that Lapides would make an interesting and rational speaker.

"This is my final resort," he said earlier. "I'm really not looking forward to this. I'm not doing this over the tobacco issue itself, but over the fact that I've not been allowed to speak on the issue."

Lapides said national media organizations have told him he would have to do substantial tissue damage before he would be considered a news item.

"I can't understand this," he said. "It"s not about smoking, it"s about speech." Lapides, who says he's "pretty well quit smoking" himself, said he invites all of the community to join him in his strike Thursday. "This will be the start of the first meal I'm going to miss," he said.

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