I do so hope the idiot (if he is guilty) is prosecuted to the full extent and at least fined a considerable sum of money. A bit of prison time might help his attitude.
And I'm a smoker - but it isn't hard to do without for the duration of a flight and enjoy your ciggy when you get to the other end.
And I've never thought 'they' think anything else but 'not like it' - it's a safety issue. I don't fancy dying just so some pillock can satisfy his lack of having will power.