Smokers are unpopular with non-smokers

The Collective Dynamics of Smoking in a Large Social Network
Nicholas A. Christakis, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., and James H. Fowler, Ph.D.

From the abstract:

Network phenomena appear to be relevant to smoking cessation. Smoking behavior spreads through close and distant social ties, groups of interconnected people stop smoking in concert, and smokers are increasingly marginalized socially.

Translation: Smokers are influenced by the behaviour of those in their social circle, and that social circle is getting smaller.

Maybe the reason non-smokers can't stand the company of smokers is that smokers reek of the foul stench of tobacco. Football coach Dave Skrien put it succinctly in his book Countdown to Grey Cup (page 44):

Tobacco is the most useless habit ever invented by man. It is unnecessary, unclean, unhealthful, rude and thoroughly distasteful.

Scientists make the shocking discovery that young people imitate the behaviour they see on the screen

If scientists got out more often, they'd realize, as tobacco companies do, that most movies today are made for young adults and teenagers. This is why these companies pay actors to smoke in movies.

On-screen Smoking In Movies Linked To Young Adult Smoking Behavior

ScienceDaily (Oct. 3, 2007) — New study findings show that exposure to on-screen smoking in movies has a strong correlation with beginning to smoke or becoming established smokers among young adults 18-25, a critical age group for lifelong smoking behavior...

Teens Who See More Smoking In Movies May Have Increased Risk Of Becoming Established Smokers

ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2007) — Exposure to smoking in movies appears to be associated with adolescents' risk of becoming established smokers who have used at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes, according to a new report...

Exposure To Smokers In Movies Increases Likelihood Of Smoking In The Future

ScienceDaily (Jun. 14, 2007) — A new study appearing in the July issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, reports that watching an actor smoke on the big screen may make smokers more likely to continue smoking in the future, and make nonsmokers more favorably disposed toward smoking...