Think you're right re the drinking, the smoking was definitely due to complaints. Can understand as I guess some viewers would be influenced to smoke thinking it was cool
however I stand by my opinion that it was better back then, real people, drama and they weren't just on there for a PLT deal as it was still a fresh show.
Now they don’t even need to come out in a couple and can still earn money from the show whereas in the earlier seasons they were inclined to stay with the person they were with.