Wow i am so glad this forum exists. In defence of smokers i will first give the psychology of this behavior; stress, pain, frustration, repression of uncomfortable feelings\emotions is at root of this habit. Similarly all addiction; drug, alchohol food sex, excess tv, shopping \hoarding, etc is self medicating, pain soothing\ numbing. Having said that, i struggle to feel compassion when i experience the scenarios described in the above posts; walking behind smoker, spitting, littering, blackening walls while putting out butts, breathing in a closed public bus, smoking near building entrance when i have to come through. God help us all