Jeffro, I should have added "many" to that sentence to exempt you and others who may exhibit that level of concrn. It has been my experience that without laws restricting smokers, they would light up anywhere they desired. It used to happen in movie theaters, restaurants, in fact everywhere.
I remember those days well. I remember smoking in the office, on airplanes, etc. I remember televison commercials for cigarettes complete with catchy jingles ("you can take Salem out of the country, but...") Perhaps, as a non-smoker, you felt you were held prisoner by the acceptance of smoking. Of course it was legal to smoke in those places then. That was a long time ago. I was always polite to people who did not smoke or would rather I not smoke around them.
Now I ask you, is that a right you have? If so, where does your right end and mine begin to be able to breathe non-toxic air?
Is it a right? I suppose as much as it is a right to wear cologne (which bothers my sinuses and makes my eyes water) or to drive a car with emissions that harm the environment and potentially my health. Do you have the right to do those things? Even if they cause discomfort or danger to me? Sure, why not? It's legal.
As for where my rights end and yours begin, using the smoking example, I would say my rights end: in bars, restaurants, office buildings, government buildings, parks, beaches, airplanes, airports, stores, hospitals, some apartment complexes, movie theaters, hotels, motels, buses, trains... so really anywhere but my apartment and sometimes outside. I'm waiting for the day that is no longer permitted, then I guess I'll just go hang out with Sandy, she seems to be okay with it.
