How many smokers actually acknowledge that it is assur?
You quote David Lichtenstein, talking on a radio show designed to be controversial, liberal and provocative. That isn’t going to convince anyone at the best of time – especially smokers, who have negius that it should be muttar.
Look at it from the point of view of a smoker.
– Stage 1: There is the famous teshuva in Igros Moshe where R’ Moshe is basically mattir for those who are not בעלי נפש*. There is a large amount of discussion in earlier Poskim about smoking on Yim Tov, but very clear documented proof that at one point, it was Muttar. Of course there are discussions as to whether or not the hetter still applies; various testimonies which are disputed – nothing concrete.
– Stage 2: Everybody smokes. Walk around Eretz Yisroel. Stand outside any Beis Hamedrash. Dozens of Gedoilim – Yerei Shamayim and Talmidei Chachamim of immense proportions – smoke or smoked themselves.
– Take this a stage further. Not only do such a large proportion of frum, heimishe Yidden smoke, but very few accepted Gedoilim have ever come out publicly against smoking. Imagine if Klal Yisroel were eating certified pork on the streets – wouldn’t you expect pashkevilin, Smoking Asifas, public speeches – some sort of awareness campaign? When something is so blatantly widespread, you expect a strong reaction if it would be assur . But what do we see? Snippets of private conversations busybodies have with gedoilim, where they agree that it is assur to start smoking.
– Even if the facts are there, on some level, most smokers don’t believe it is truly dangerous. Just like most of us drink Coke, and eat fatty foods – although we are aware that these things are nutritional disaster – it’s because we don’t actually believe it will cause any lasting damage. Consider to yourself the number of smokers you personally know, and how many people you know who have ever died from smoking. On some subconcious level, we consider it like driving a car; accidents happen, and it is dangerous – but hey, nothing’s going to happen when you get into a car. Nobody has ever walked around the corner because of the health risk in driving.
In summary: An activity which is (1) considered muttar by רוב of Klal Yisroel – specifically something that (2) was once unanimously accepted – (3) which is still practiced by רבים וטובים, is not going to be fought with ambiguity.