Elaborating on his point, Moore discussed how Battlestar Galactica characters make other poor decisions than smoking, just like those who are watching the show. “We drink, we have sex with the wrong partners—we make lots of bad choices, and some of them we do knowingly and in full cognizance of the risks and consequences.” This is something illustrated throughout the series, like when Starbuck has spontaneous intercourse with Gaius Baltar or simply punches a superior officer like Tigh when she is drunk and angry.
Finishing his thoughts on the matter, the Battlestar Galactica showrunner said “Dr. Cottle obviously knows the risks associated with smoking and he elects to do it anyway — that’s his choice.” Of course, one of the things that Moore’s point seemingly overlooks is that Cottle isn’t just risking his own life…via secondhand smoke, he is also risking the lives of others.