most smokers will tell you exactly that. it relaxes them/calms their nerves.
you might think that's bullshit, but it does. how do i know? i mean, i've never smoked a day in my life. i have, however, managed to be blessed with an extremely high IQ (that, and i'm a nursing student), so let me explain...
nicotine is a stimulant, the same as amphetamines, cocaine, and even caffeine. for someone who is anxious/upset, stimulants can help to calm them down (just the way that a kid who has ADHD is calmed by their medication, which happens to be amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (or a dirivative of it). somehow (doctors still aren't sure exactly how), this class of narcotic has the opposite effect on smokers and hyperactive children (and others) than it does on the average person. so it's not all in their heads; it actually does chill them out!
now, back to the original post...
as of december 31st, it will be illegal to smoke in any/all public facilities here in louisiana. while smoking has been banned from just about all public buildings already (offices, hospitals, malls, etc.), this law will add to that list all of our restaurants, bars, and parks! personally, i love it. as not only a non-smoker but also as a worker in the restaurant business for most of my adult life, it's nice to finally be able to go to work without having to worry about someone else's bad habit making you ill while you're just trying to earn a living. as for the parks thing, i think this is great, too. you don't need to be puffing away while you're watching your kid play ball. can't it wait an hour or so? in the bars...again, i won't miss it. but i know many people enjoy smoking while they're having a drink, and i think this is going to cause the most problems of all scenarios. however, it's going into law and i don't see them changing it once it does.