The short answer to Max Power's question RE: small kids vs. smoke disturbance is: small kids' noise can cause at most a migraine, second hand smoke can cause cancer. As long as a large amount of the air in planes and airport buildings gets recirculated, we all get to breathe however much or little poison there is in it.
Additionally, smoking on planes increases the risk of fires (already discussed above), which can be way more lethal than cancer, so...

That said, allow me to say that I understand how frustrating it must be for a serious smoker to be deprived of cigarettes for 9-12 hours. I used to be a smoker in a past life (albeit not a heavy one), so I vaguely recall the craving...

I wish there was an easy solution, but I really can't think of one.