I would have no problem if play areas were made no smoking – in fact it’s a great idea.
But the fact is, they are not, and as a non smoker, I can’t get too wound up about someone smoking near kids in the outside air. Three reasons:
1) I have a sense of perspective. There are probably just as many risks from other particulates in the air, germs all over the place etc, so in the scale of things, a few wisps of fag smoke are just part of life’s rich tapestry.
2) I was brought up around various extended family members who smoked before it became a major health concern. None have died before the age of 75, none have died from lung cancer, I personally appear to have survived the experience thus far. It increases the risks of premature death, but so does crossing the road.
3) The real concern should be about the granddad smoking in front of the kid in his car, or in the house, ie in confined areas.