Do you see a rise in smoking among educated Americans?
Smoking is not on the rise, period. Whether among educated or uneducated. So, no, I don't expect to see a rise in smoking at all.
Is it something you'd encourage your kids to do?
I wouldn't encourage them but if my 18 year old came home and told me that she smoked I also wouldn't give her he!! about it. She's an adult , intelligent, and can make her own choices.
Why would a business want to encourage/allow on-premises an activity that tends to reduce productivity, increase insurance rates, and drive away good employees?
Why would this particular activity reduce productivity? Most jobs I have worked allow certain time for breaks. What I do that's legal during that time is my business. There is no lost productivity from a smoker that abides by the rules.
It may increase insurance rates but guess who pays that increase. One hint, it isn't the companies.
Why should it drive away good employees? There are good employees that smoke and good emplolyees that don't smoke and I have NEVER seen a good employee driven away JUST because one of the other employees smoked on their break.
In fact, Joe, where Hubby works, when the smokers run out to grab a break, the non-smokers go with them just to stretch their legs. So not every non-smoker hates us.