I wish you would write a book. So many smokers claim that they cannot go the time it takes to eat a meal without a smoke.
To me - I think it is rude to smoke around other people who choose not to smoke (regardless of our point of view on the claimed health-related problems tied to second hand smoke). Just shows how much of a grip tobacco has on a person when they cannot go for a meal without smoking....
The other side of the coin: the moral busibodies go apoplectic if anyone suggests smoking only restaurants. They insist on going where they they can live their drama queen fantasies. Who's more insane?
Smoking is part of the meal.
It has been thus in civilized societies for centuries.
We have become uncivil and uncivilized as a result of these smoking bans.
People used to gather in restaurants to eat, drink, smoke, and converse.
Now they go to satisfy their calorie requirements.
Sad.
"To me - I think it is rude to smoke around other people who choose not to smoke..."
It is even ruder to utilize government force to ensure that the property owner can not cater to a market segment he desires. If you don't want to be around smoke then don't enter private property that allows smoking. I find a lot of rudeness at buffet restaurants, as a result I don't frequent those venues. I would never dream of supporting legislation to outlaw buffet restaurants to ensure that I don't take the risk of encountering rude behaviour.