I'm a life-long non smoker, and I sympathise with your problem... sounds daft? Well, it's quite simple. I've grown up with people smoking around me, and whilst I prefer them not to smoke (especially in my house), I find I'm reasonably tolerant as I'm used to it.

I find the people who are most vehemently against others smoking are those who have successfully quit...!

No, I think it's a little unreasonable to expect smokers to go out for a drink and not be able to smoke. If pubs weren't so 'open plan' it would be simple to solve the problem by having some rooms for smokers and others non-smoking.

A 'smoking area' in a restaurant, though, is like having a 'peeing area' in a swimming pool...!