Tobacco companies are gearing up to fight a smoking ban.

The state's three major tobacco companies — Philip Morris, Lorillard and Reynolds American — plan to fight a proposal by Rep. Hugh Holliman to ban smoking in restaurants and other public places.

Michael Shannon, a staff lobbyist for Lorillard, said they think that decision should be left to the marketplace, which is already moving voluntarily toward more smoke-free establishments.

"We think there should be some accommodation for those owners of restaurants, bars or night clubs who know their customers and want to provide a smoking alternative," he told Dome.

He also argued that a provision in the bill that would allow local government to set stricter rules on smoking would put a strain on owners of multiple establishments and create havoc for customers.

"You could have a bar on one side of the street have one set of rules, and a bar on the other side have another set of rules," he said.

Lorillard has also retained Frederick Bone, son of former tobacco lobbyist Roger Bone. Reynolds American has retained lobbyist Eugene Ainsworth. A spokesman for Philip Morris said they will also hire a lobbyist, but none was registered yet with the Secretary of State.