I think stoneskipper said it really well, I think the poster that made those comments obviously feels very passionately about smoking because of her situation. 2 of my grandparents died of cancer from smoking, one before I was born and so when people I was friends with would start smoking during school because it was the 'cool' thing to do or whatever I would get so angry at them and throw about words like disgusting, probably seemingly unnecessarily from their point of view but I just felt very passionately about it and couldn't for the life of me see why they'd pick up a cigarette in the first place because I've seen what can happen from that one decision at a party. Obviously that sort of situation isn't applicable to everyone and people start smoking for a variety of reasons and people can do what they want but it was just something that i would be unable to hold back my opinion on.
I think the poster was definitely making sweeping statements and using words that could easily cause offence to people who don't want to come onto this support forum and find their life choices being judged but y'know, sometimes we just say stuff on here because its our opinion and forget about how other people might react but hopefully we can all do our best to avoid falling out and just accept we have different opinions, some stronger than others.

As for the hand holding thing, I know when i'm panicked I just want people to tell me everything will be ok and I won't get sick. Most of the time this genuinely is the truth because we all panic about things that actually aren't likely to make us ill. But i dont think its a bad thing to also be like yeah you're being ridiculous and worrying over nothing at all, sometimes we just need some sense knocking into us.