Occasionally, a pilot will die in the cockpit, that's why we need 2 qualified and trained pilots in front. Get over it.
I started aviation as a 200-hour ab initio in a 150-pax airliner: difference with today was that I got a proper line training (150 hours with a safety pilot!), and my trainers made damn sure I knew how to get the plane safely to the ground on my own before even thinking about releasing me for normal ops.
Don't expect pilots to be fit like astronauts if you're going to pay them like gas-station attendants. Also don't expect them to retire at 60: they can't afford it!
So the way to safety is to make sure at least 1 trained and reasonably rested pilot remains in an airliner if his colleague dies.
As for not letting smokers near an airplane: bollocks. OTOH, i feel the same about people who believe God is their co-pilot, so who am I to judge )))