Bad logic

Do some older folks just have a tendency to plunge themselves into bad logic?
I had a nice day with my mom over the weekend, mainly taking her shopping and then we went to a Chinese buffet (a favorite of hers, I believe, because she grew up poor and loves the endless food). After a couple plates of food she was saying how now would be the perfect time to have a cigarette so she could relax and then get another plate of food. In our state you can't smoke in bars and restaurants anymore, so my reaction was basically, "yes, but you can't smoke in these establishments anymore." (Personally, I'm glad. Since I quit smoking I really loathe the smell of cigarette smoke, especially when it's near -- as in, 5 feet or closer -- me.)
She always starts on this crazy logic, though, when she wants to smoke but isn't allowed. Usually it's how cars pollute far more than her cigarettes do. Including my car, apparently. (Guess what, mom? My car drives you to the tobacco store ...) I know her brain isn't at its best by any means, but that crazy argument is maddening. And after the car pollution comment she had to mention how her mother smoked while she was pregnant with all four of her kids. A few decades back, everybody smoked. Now we know it's not good for us, and we're not allowed to smoke in malls, restaurants, bars and offices anymore. It's just the way it is. I suspect this is in part why she doesn't want to go to many places anymore, since she can at least smoke her three-plus packs a day in her apartment without issue. Sadly this means she cuts herself off from a lot of social activity. She fights going to a Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering because it's "too often." What, visiting people three or four times a year is too much? Deep down I think it's because she can't smoke like a chimney there and her real hobby and pastime is smoking. She's done it since she was 15 and has never really stopped. I'm all for doing what you like, but it just comes across as ridiculous to me to say "f*** you" to family because you love your cigarettes more.
And my point about logic has gone off course, I fear. Maybe I need a cigarette to focus. (No, I don't. Just another cup of coffee will suffice...)