Yes, I did have to ask. I've been told that I'm too picky about certain things.

I'm not expecting he will change because of me (trust me, been there, tried that and finally moved on). We've only been on one date. I've been told before that I can be too picky about certain things. I know nobody's perfect (myself included), but I don't have a very good track record with dating. I actually like this guy so far, and wanted some advice on whether I should let it slide (like the fact that he's 8 yrs younger than I am) and try to get to know him better.

Thanks, I appreciate advice from someone who's been in the same situation before.

Well, if you want to stop being so "picky" and the smoking doesn't bother you, then go for it.
Personally, to me, smoking is a big enough issue that rejecting someone for that isn't an unreasonable and picky thing to do. It's a lifestyle choice that goes beyond being picky.
If you were rejecting guys for things like the shape of their ears, or they don't like oranges and you do...something superficial, then yes. That's picky. Smoking. That's legitimate.

Don't be too fatalistic in the smoking-nonsmoking thing. It's not necessarily a plus-or-minus situation---you need more honest and open discussion about it. Have you and the guy ever discussed whether he thought about quitting?; tried quitting in the past?; Considered a nicotine-patch? A behavior-modification therapist?; A hypnotist?; Self-hypnosis?; Accupuncture?; Nicotine gum?; A slow, decline in cigarettes smoked per day, down to zero?

My point is that some people have habits that they do because they enjoy them, but in the hierarchy of love, my experience tells me that everything else is secondary. If you talked to him about it, you may be suprised by his responses. (I found all this out when I met the most exceptional woman in the world [who was a smoker], but was only waiting for her insurance to kick in so she could go on the patch to ultimately quit.). I enjoy my beer, but if it was problematic for the woman I loved then I would walk away from it and never look back. Now you may want to rethink this philosophy if the person "cannot" make those changes, as that may be indicative of a serious problem with addiction/neurosis and who wants to add that to our already 'crazy' lives?

Well that's what I think...and considering the persons that said to just dump the guy and move on...well that only proves that a great many people do not think. Good luck!