I think that in the USA, where there have been extensive anti-smoking campaigns and pressure of other sorts for almost 50 years now, the only older people who are left smoking are those who have severe physical addictions. In light of all the medical evidence and social stigma, all those who could give up smoking have already done so.
Those who still smoke are perhaps more deserving of support and compassion than of more stigma.
Whenever I see one of these poor souls, I am grateful that 1) I never started smoking and 2) I don’t have the physiology that would cause me to have such unbearable urges.
actually, I did start when I was about 19, but didn’t even make it 1/4 way through one cigarette before discovering that I was not cut out to be a smoker.