Thank you for your response.

Even if one puts to one side the passive smoking angle of the argument, the fire risk alone must be seriously considered. Having a teaching building filled to capacity with students and allowing smoking to take place in that building is a tragedy waiting to happen. Common sense alone, particularly in an educational institution, should dictate that a building filled to capacity and allowing smoking is a mistake which is unforgivable. It's not a case of cultural norms differing or British or Chinese interpreting the best way to behave, it's simply a matter of creating a safe environment