Money, Bill. Big money. Oh, and addiction, of course. And habit. And people's god-given right to each be stupid in their own unique fashion. :-)
Metchosin - What exactly is the point you are trying to make? I haven't seen too many people deliberately and enthusiastically inhaling wood smoke from fires. :-) On the contrary, you try and set the fire up so you get the heat and light, but not the smoke. Fires are not perfect! Neither is anything else in life. Everything is a tradeoff. Even sex.
Why not give us some statistics on the physical downside of engaging in other common and popular activities...like driving a car, mowing the lawn, making love, vacuuming, sitting at a computer, flying in an airplane, eating oatmeal with brown sugar on it, and so on...
Oh! Horrifying damage all around. Why, most of these things are AS BAD OR WORSE THAN SMOKING CIGARETTES!!! I figure, we either ban ALL these harmful activities or just admit that smoking cigarettes is every bit as sensible and worthy a practice as anything else a person might choose to do. That oughta shut up all these arrogant, overbearing, pompous people who are acting so self-righteous toward the poor, put-upon smoker!!! Yeah. Go get 'em, Metchosin!