Hi Viv and congratulations on your success in getting rid of nicotine.
This is a very real addiction we all share, including your dining pals. When somebody decides to take charge of their addiction and not 'use' any more other addicts (especially those who do not yet recognize or acknowledge their addiction) can feel threatened by our willingness to 'do the imposssible' by quitting. This is a decision about living more than it is about quitting that we make for ourselves. It's nice if others acknowledge and understand but we must make sure we Make quitting our #1 priority. The Quitting Phase of recovery where you are now is a part of our smokng lives in a way. Moving forward & Living free is about recovery from active addiciton is all about Becoming An Ex-Smoker. There are many changes, all of them positive, we go thru as we return to how our life should be and should have been all along.
Surely you were not the only non or ex-smoker in that pub. Surely others were also not going outside (that's a normal activity eh, so harmful and dangerous it has to be done out of doors?). This is a period of transition for you and your friends, give it some adjustment time. They and you will learn to live together if you are truly friends.
Here's a few articles / older posts on this same subject to build a lttle perspective.
You keep on being true to you, living for the better and never taking anothe puff. Enjoy and celebreate your freedom from nicotine ever single day.
Your Quit Friend - JoeJ Free