I didn't know Sydney Carter well, but used to meet him fairly regularly at the Hampstead flat of friends who used to hold a monthly 'At Home'; and my recollection is that he didn't smoke. (Tho my recollection also is that Sheila Hancock, who was the most noted singer of that particular song, and whom I knew for a time when she was with the Cambridge Theatre Company, did ~~ but it's hard after all this time to be certain in either case.}

I agree with you that that was one of Sydney's best songs.

~M~