Question

Hello Michi,
This past Sabbath I went down at six in the morning to take out the trash, and I saw a Hasidic man, with a full beard, sidelocks, and a long black coat, sitting on a bench and smoking for pleasure. When he noticed me, he smiled and called out to me, “Good Sabbath!” I asked him whether he was aware that there is a prohibition against kindling fire on the Sabbath, and he claimed that nowadays this is not relevant, since fire is a much less “creative” act because of technological progress, and that by contrast one should be stricter about actions that are truly “creative.” What do you think of his claim? If he is right, do you have ideas for which “creative” actions that are today permitted on the Sabbath should become prohibited?
 
Thank you,
 
Joseph