TOBACCO gradually losing its political influence

In downtown Raleigh, just a few blocks from the state legislature building, opened a new trendy bar in the last month.

It's called "Tobacco Road". But the whole bar non-smoking.

In those days, that little bit of irony is not an isolated case. For smokers, and for the tobacco industry, which is crucial for the country's economy for centuries, the landscape is changing rapidly.

"Our customers, of course, faced with a finite number of situations, whether in social work situations, or situations where they feel comfortable to smoke," said Mor Payne, Representative Reynolds American inc.

Changing social views of smoking is accompanied by a reduction in political support for tobacco companies. Over the years, Reynolds and other major tobacco players enjoyed some home-field advantage in the policy of North Carolina. However, the 2009 forms to be a difficult year for tobacco products in the country's largest tobacco producing state.

Here are some recent developments:

Last week the powerful legislators in the NC House of Representatives resumed its Push to ban smoking in restaurants and indoor workplaces in North Carolina.

In the NC Senate, the other powerful lawmakers want to raise taxes on cigarettes this year.

At the federal level, former Senator Elizabeth Dole, a staunch supporter of the tobacco companies, was replaced by Sen. Kay Hagan, who last week voted in favor of increasing the federal tobacco tax to pay for health insurance of children.

North Carolina politicians have increasingly argued that the health risks of smoking outweigh the important legacy tobacco state.

"I know that this state has a rich history of tobacco growing, and we love our farmers, and we respect them," said State Republic of Jennifer Weiss, D-ring. But, she added, "it comes to health and safety of workers in our state."

Weiss was referring to the proposed ban on smoking in indoor workplaces. The main author of the bill is the Republic of Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, survived lung cancer.

Two years ago, Holliman filed a similar bill was narrowly defeated in the House of Representatives. This year is expected to face another tough fight. But even groups that are strongly opposed smoking bans in the past - such as the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association - take a softer stance this year.

Paul Stone, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association, said he believes that some type of ban on smoking in North Carolina is inevitable.

Holliman How does it seek a ban on smoking, some other state lawmakers want to raise state taxes on cigarettes this year. The main one is a supporter of Senator Marc Basnight, NC Senate leader, who also wants to raise taxes on alcohol.

Such tax increases would have little impact on closing the budget deficit the state, but Basnight said that his main reason for supporting them is not to raise revenue, while the lower state health-care costs.

Despite these broad anti-smoking efforts, the tobacco industry remains strong, and continued to be a major player in North Carolina politics and lobbying campaign contributions.

Senator Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, defended the tobacco industry, last week. Garrou, chief Lt. Basnight, almost always in agreement with him. But it was opposed to increasing taxes on cigarettes.

Garrou, whose district includes Winston-Salem headquarters of Reynolds, said that Congress is on the verge of raising the federal tax on cigarettes. This tax, which is supported by Kagan last week. Another senator in North Carolina, Republican Richard Burr, opposed it.

"It will be difficult for us (government) to raise taxes, and on tobacco companies, Garrou said:" If we're going to maintain these excellent corporate citizens, preserve jobs and keep money in our state. "

Basnight said he understands the position Garrou in opposite directions to increase taxes on cigarettes States.

And I would too if I was represented by Winston-Salem, he said.

Payne, Representative Reynolds, said that the company still believes that he has good support in the General Assembly, despite the proposals this year.

"I think in the parliament of North Carolina is a very broad and deep understanding of the importance of tobacco, both historically and economically, the state," she said.

But she also acknowledged that the political situation is changing. More legislators are prepared to consider increasing taxes on cigarettes, she said, and several other laws of North Carolina in recent years, has banned smoking in places as varied as prisons, adult care homes and state government vehicles.

"There are social changes," says Payne.

"And our legislators are part of this society, like all the others.