I think the general anger is something created by the media. Smokers are portrayed in the media as the second greatest evil (Republicans are the first, terrorism is third). They kill innocent people with second-hand smoke (inconclusive evidence of that), they drive up medical costs and redirect heathcare resources (probably mostly true), they pollute the environment and the ecology (maybe), etc.
This is separate from the individual anger that is natural when the guy next to you in the restaurant lights up, or the guy ahead of you on the street.
People can’t help regurgitating what they are fed, and falling into step with the crowd in hating a “public enemy”.