Unlike what people have said in other threads, you do not breath lead with the smoke.
Typical #44 flux contains mostly pine tree sap for flux. But there are many nasty chemicals mixed in with it so avoid the smoke - going to lead free solder will help you by 0%.
I own a benchtop Weller Smokeabsorber... I hate it. It makes a lot of noise and doesn't do much unless you are soldering within 4 or 5" in front of it. I have used a gooseneck type smoke absorber and loved it, plan to buy one when I can afford it. With this type of fume extractor, noise is away from your face and the much smaller inlet can be easily placed close to or above the soldering point.