Smoking is more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest region than it is in, say, Silicon Valley. It is still less common than some other parts of the US. This was very noticeable to me when I moved to Seattle from the Bay Area. In the Bay Area (and many other parts of California), smoking is approaching extinction.
It is a regional culture thing. Most smokers in the Pacific Northwest are strongly biased toward the lower economic strata. By comparison, in many parts of New England (for example) there are quite a few smokers in the upper half of the economic strata.
I've lived in and around Vancouver for years, and I find there is very little smoking there. Not sure where the GP's data is coming from, but he/she is drawing very broad conclusions from a very limited dataset.
If anything, (many) Vancouverites have the stereotype of being super-healthy, yoga-practicing, organic eating folks who actively shun unhealthy things like smoking. Unless it's weed :)
edit: I was talking about the GP's comment, not your's specifically.
Maybe. I actually live in Portland, Oregon and I rarely see anyone smoking. I honestly can't remember the last time I smelled second-hand smoke in Portland and the suburbs.
It is a regional culture thing. Most smokers in the Pacific Northwest are strongly biased toward the lower economic strata. By comparison, in many parts of New England (for example) there are quite a few smokers in the upper half of the economic strata.