Apart from the obvious health risks/issues what about the FIRE risk caused by smoking on the flight deck, not to mention the distraction if a cigarette gets dropped on the floor etc?
I find it most disappointing that this should be raised as an issue after all the CRM training that is now prominent.
Captains who insist on smoking on the flight deck should NOT be Captains!!
The issue of FOs being afraid to make an issue of this matter through fear of reprisals etc is far more serious that the issue of smoking on the flight deck and speaks volumes about the manner in which operations are conducted, in my opinion.
In short, a serious flight safety issue which needs dealing with at the highest level.