By saying that it is OK if you find it difficult to avoid makes no sense. What if someone finds it difficult to avoid smoking on Shabbat. All rabbis unanimously rule that smoking on Shabbat is forbidden. A prohibition against smoking, however, is not as clear cut, and not all Rabbis subscribe to it, at least not yet. Since this bears on the health of others, the rabbis urged those who will ignore the ban at least to refrain from smoking around others.
Hurricanes can kill.
Let's make salami, hot dogs, pastrami, and corned beef illegal, as nitrates cause cancer. Our rabbis know the limits of science and they choose not to make hasty proclamations. They also know that the risks of smoking vary with the number of cigarettes smoked. I disagree with the mentality that says that because it had a pejorative connotation over the centuries, maybe it shouldn't be used. I hope you were kidding.