I smoke. I try to be considerate towards non-smokers, and by and large I find they are considerate to me.

I like pizza, but I HATE green (bell) peppers. If a pizza has been cooked with green peppers on it, the taste permeates every bite even if the peppers are taken off before I eat it. There's no getting away from it. I gather from talking to friends that smoke likewise permeates the air (even outdoors if not too far away), as well as lingering in clothing, furniture, car interiors, etc. If it's around (or has been around, in some cases), they will suffer.

Reactions of non-smokers to smoke and its residue ranges from mild annoyance to significant physical sickness. Much as I appreciate the convenience of being able to light up in my seat at a restaurant or show, I must concede that it is far easier for me to step outside for 5 minutes than for someone sensitive to smoke to bear its effects the entire time they're in the place. Thus I cannot in good conscience condemn non-smoking venues, though I am allowed to resent them a bit (BG, but a grain of truth).

It would seem to me that the majority of smokers can adapt to a non-smoking venue more comfortably than the majority of non-smokers can adapt to a smoking one. It helps a great deal, and is only considerate, to make accommodation for smokers when feasible--having a reasonably accessible smoking area with some protection from the elements.

There are enough differences between smoking and drinking, and between smoke-sensitivity and other physical handicaps, to make comparisons and analogies in those areas valid only in certain narrow senses.

I don't have a case history to share, but I would have to say that offering a smoke-free atmosphere, along with the most convenient smoking area possible, seems to make the most sense to me.