As a temporary fix you can install the Chrome browser in your iPad / iPhone - and select the option to load the
Desktop version of the site from the drop-down options menu.
This will make the editor bar appear which includes the options to format text, add links, and ... of course ... add smilies.
It's an incompatibility with Apple OS and the current editor used in the forum software. The new 1.2 version of the forum software, which is due in a few months time, uses a different editor so doesn't have this problem.
Cheers,
Shaun