I firmly believe as you do. But, when appraising folks I meet (I did such for years as a copper, I habit I can't seem to break.), habits such as smoking, drinking routine, appearance, and other factors enter into my first impression appraisal. So, a smoker would come across somewhat selfish with a willingness to spend money somewhat frivolously, neither of which are empirically good or bad, simply clues as to the person's personality.
I certainly do not consider smoking to in any definition of the word, sophisticated. It's simply, to me, a purely selfish choice. I also believe a bit of selfishness is healthy. Everyone deserves a wee vice as king as ut diesn't keep the kids without food or shoes.
