Smoke breaks for non-smokers?

Idiots, just get off it.  Your not being intelligent by being an idiot.  Smokers DO talk about work while smoking.   DO solve problems over these breaks.  Stepping away from a problem is COMMON SENSE to help solve things - smoking or not. And being forced to stand with someone you don't sit by or normally work with tends to generate knowledge transfers that wouldn't otherwise happen. And we've observed YOU, surfing on facebook, talking around the water cooler, spending HOURS bitching about how smokers get to go outside every couple of hours, despite the fact that YOU are just as capable of doing the same.  My point is, at the end of the day, most people end up burning about the same proportion "not working".  Better, at every company i've ever worked for, the smokers worked massively more hours than the non-smokers - so whatever time you think they aren't working they are likely making up for when you aren't even around to "watch them"

Killed by combination of a regulation forcing them to smoke outside, and horribly unsafe installations. The theoric effects smoking could have on their life expectency didn't even come into play. This is about as irrational as the anti-pot commercials that go "Just tell your grandma you don't wanna go see her cause you got high." I guess the people who waste my tax money making these ads just can't be arsed with the whole "argument" part... Too hard? ~LISA:)

Smokers should be killed!

Please, smokers. Just get off it. You are not being productive by smoking. No one believes that you are out there talking about work. And no one believes that you come back in and blow away the non-smokers with your productivity. The fact is, that these 5 - 10 minute breaks (which are usually closer to 15 - 20, and yes we've timed it) are time that should be worked. If employers want to give extra break time, then everyone ought to get it. A co-worker of mine, tired of being reprimanded for her 10 - 15 minute latenesses timed the smokers smoke breaks over the course of several days. 3--yes three--hours total per 8-hour DAY.

Get over it is all I have to say. If you have such a problem with smokers getting more breaks than why dont you ask for a quick break so you can go sit outside or something, I work 8 hours a day/ no lunch and only two 3minute breaks. Im so tired of people bitching about smokers. Just get over it.

I love this! I just posted on my facebook page that I am sick of smokers getting extra breaks. I even told my co-workers that I am going to start taking 'fresh air' breaks.

Wow! It is too bad that there is such debate between smokers and non-smokers when, as co-workers, we are all on the same team. I looked up this article because I was trying to find some discussion regarding the breaks that are permitted by employers, for smokers and non-smokers.

I live in Illinois and the only government mandated requirement is that we get a 20 minute food break for every 7.5+ hour shift. However, my company permits smoke breaks. If an employee does not smoke, they do not get any breaks other then the 20 minute lunch.This is the companies bad decission making as they are the ones who make and enforce the policies.

Well goody. As a owner of a small company i dont hire meat eaters nor will i hire anyone with diabetes. Both are bloodsucking leaches who drain the system dry with their colon rectal cancer, Bad HDL, and the people with diabetes are a complete drain on the economy with the high costs insureing them. The non smokers did this so live with the results. Lawsuit against me ill close the company. Yes in this ecomony who wants to lose their job.

You have to be kidding. Quit smoking a couple of months ago, but will miss it forever. I took two smoke breaks a day -- instead of other breaks that everyone else took. Leave smokers alone.....

I have read through all of these comments on this issue. What is wrong with you? The issue is about BREAKS-not smothkers vs. non-smokers! I work in retail management and am an ex-smoker. I see every break issue there is. The fact of the matter is the EMPLOYER is responsible for enforcig the break policy. If you have an issue with a vo-worker taking more thn the federally or corporately manadated breaks, then speak to your supervisor. It doesn't matter if it's 15 smoke breaks a day or if its 15 "mental health" (and yes-that has been used)breaks. Unless there is a doctor's note about making special sccomadations, no one should be taking breaks outside what is mandated. And for anyone wondering-even as a smoker, I only used my approved break to smoke.

this is from gigi's daughter....like my mother-n-law told me. "get a oxygen tank and carry it around if the smoke bothers you that much. then your not getting that 2nd hand smoke your complaining about everywhere you go" then you get clean air and i get to smoke....people give it up!!! people who smoke will never stop unless cigarettes are stop being produced....until then just keep your mouth shut or put a cig in it and puff away :)

take care and dont forget its their choice not yours...so before you pick on a smoker, think about all the crap you do people hate....oh and for those that judge, haha good luck explaining something so pety on judgement day! Let's see that makes you a HYPOCRITE !!!!!!!!!!!

PS. DONT COMMENT THIS BAD TOWARDS GIGI. I WROTE IT NOT GIGI!!!!

Ye without sin cast the first stone. To hear some of the comments it seems we don't care much for each other. This country is so divieded that it seems that all we do is put down each other. Have any of you ever thought of just praying for each other or if you don't pray just say something kind. Reguardless what any of us do, none of us is perfect so just ride it out because in the end we all are going to die with something. If you have tried to read what's on back of some food packages you'll find ingredients that you can't pronounce or know what it is unless your a chemist, and if you take precriptions drugs if they don't cure you they may just kill you. So, unless you don't breath, eat or drink then you may just be visting your nearest funeral home. There is every kind of perservtives and chemicals in our food and water that if you add all of these things together then we would never have time but worry, argue and be misable every day of our lives. I for one will count my blessings that I wasn't exposed to asbestos that caused lung disease and cancer and don't forget the young men and women that was exposed to agent orange in desert storm that caused birth defects and all kinds of deadly diseases. Like so many young men and women that have died fighting for our freedom today. I'm sure that if our soldiers have a moment of time durning the day the only thing their thinking of is staying alive and dreaming of being back home with their familys. Please take out some time durning the week to think of all the men and women and their familys that needs your heart felt support. If you have a job and not unemployed or homeless, then you can say you have many blessing to be thankful for and don't have that much to gripe about other than who or whom hadn't took a break. If what you do is not illegal and you don't over do a good thing, then go ahead smoke, drink and eat and do whatever makes you happy, because unless these people pays your bills and provides you with a place to live then they need to mind their own business and use their time wisely to make a diffence where it may count to help someone that's having a hard time durning this depressioned economy. The next time you feel like complaining put a dollar in a jar at work and at the end of the month give it to a needed family that's with out work to buy food or pay their house payments or maybe living in their cars, tents, or streets. Get together and start a HOPE SHELTER for your community. Have a nice day don't forget to love, support and help the needed...and each other. Last note of the day IT'S BREAK TIME I need to go out side and get some fresh air before the smog level goes up...remember smog alerts from pollution from factories and cars. Uh well excuse me that was back in the 20th centery and they say all things get better in time. Oh great day I just did my very first blog...... it's nice to have the freedom to speak your mind. After you look at the big picture some things look and sound so small compared to what's on our country plate. Time for a cup of java that's coffee for some people.

How about you take the cigarette out of your mouth and do some research on what you're exhaling and carrying on your clothes when you pass by me? I give everyone in my office the same damn courtesies, smoker or non. I take my designated breaks on time. I bring non-smelly food. I don't wear heavy perfume or products. I don't use air fresheners. I chew with my mouth closed. I buy mints and gum, and those little disposable tooth brushes - out of COURTESY for my coworkers. What burns my behind are people who think they can affect ME and my company because of some "necessary" habit, whatever it may be. I'm a non smoker, and the smell of cigarettes (amongst other things) give me a 12-36 hour vision-impairing migraine. Am I fat? No. Do I have other health issues? No. Did I ask to have odor-triggered headaches for the rest of my life? No. So you can cram that cigarette I asked you to take out of your mouth earlier, and stick it where the sun doesn't shine. Never heard such biased, un-based, ridiculous claims in my life. Being more productive because you're a smoker ... Ridiculous! I work with video game playing, text messaging, fish soup eating high school drop outs that do more work than some smokers in my office. You should kick yourself for being an overly defensive, ignorant air pollutant. I hope you or someone you love dies of cancer. See how you feel then. Idiot.

To Natasha: I could relax if people minded their own beezewax. If you don't like it, don't read it, or comment - Correct! I post it because most of the comments are from non-smokers who think their "breath" don't stink! You don't need to smoke to stink, believe me! Also, I post these comments at times when I'm at home, not at work for your nagging nit-picking information. Talk about profiling smokers. All smokers use up the companies time, make insurance costly. Bologne - Overweight sedentary people use up more company time and health insurance. By the way, thanks for noticing my comments. Maybe you should read them again, this time without predjudice and with a cigarette in your mouth ....

Teri - You've posted more comments on this topic than anyone and yet you keep arguing how productive you are. You need to stop 'nagging and nit picking' and find some more work to do if you have this much time on your hands.

You seem to be the one who is the most hot and bothered on this thread so maybe you need to 'relax for goodness sake'!

Really, I don't get it. Where does all this hostility come from. You guys (non-smokers) got what you wanted. No smoking inside buildings. You also got tax money to spend on things like ball fields. Now that is not good enough. You just keep nagging and nit picking because apparently there is a void in your unhappy miserable lives. I suggest you light up too and just relax for goodness sakes.

I agree with the non-smokers in this post. I just had a conversation a few days ago regarding this retail scenario.

I am a non-smoking retail sales manager who typically works 9am-6pm. My designated 1/2 hour break is from 1:30-2 or 2-2:30, depending on when my relief is scheduled. An associate working a four hour shift, from 12-4, had the nerve to clock out, and "go on break," before I could take my break! I was furious and explained to her and anyone else who was around that I've been at work since 9am, and she had been there for only two hours and already "needed" a cigarette. Chew some Nicorette, because guess what? I go on break first.

What a ridiculous addiction that only hurts the smoker in the long run with their health, but also the bottom line of the business. I could care less what you do on your own time, or your designated breaks. I suggest smoking five cigarettes on your 1/2 break to take in all the nicotine you can possibly ingest. All that I need to focus on is that I have a business to run, and you are scheduled to work.

That made me laugh. I don't spend 2 hours thinking about smoking...lol. I take 2 unpaid breaks a day not 5 and I stay within my 60 minutes of unpaid time per day as do the non smokers who take breaks with me so it's NOT on the clock as I said before. I apologize that you have a double standard in your work place. Perhaps you could talk to your organization to see if you can use some of your unpaid time to take breaks too. It's unfortunate that all companies don't recognize the value of break (smoking or not).

Come on, apparently the people you guys work with are real losers. It is the supervisors of these employees that need to pay attention to how much time someone is taking on breaks. Like I said before, I smoke, but on my designated 15 minute breaks and MY lunch hour. It does not affect my work. I also do NOT play on the computer (that is against company policy), I don't chat on my cell phone or the company phone (that is also a policy). Regarding my stench from smoking - I have to smell other's body odor, cologne, hair spray, room freshner/deodorizers, bad breath, bus fumes, car exhaust) just like you, but I'm not looking for a law to forbid hairspray, cologne, etc. There should be a law against ignorance. This is AMERICA!

Liz how are you not using company time when you are taking a smoke break on the clock? Maybe you wouldn't need to work 10 hours a day if you didn't waste 2 hours thinking about how nice it'd be to smoke a cigarette. I like this topic and I don't think someone should have to be a smoker to get 5 breaks throughout the day. There shouldn't be a double standard.

I love some of the ways the smokers are showing their narrow-minded defensive justification to their smoke breaks. "I am a smoker and I have seen more non-smokers wasting time, playing on the computer, getting the ever needed drink of water, private phone calls etc." PLEASE, I see smokers do these things ON TOP of their smoke breaks. I bet if smokers were required to clock out every time they smoked they wouldn't smoke but once a day. Do you smokers truly believe that people who don't smoke never get stressed out or need a break throughout the day? Of course we do, but we choose not to kill ourselves over it unlike the weak smokers.

Freedom. Capitalism. Rights. What is the issue here? Employers ARE the final determinors of their own policies, save for what Congress or the courts dictate. The bottom line is what matters -- productivity and fairness. Smokers cost businesses more than mere whittled work hours; they cost non-smokers in ways not mentioned, such as unfair health insurance burdens, as well as decreased personal health and wellness. Non-smokers suffer the immensely offensive smell of stale tobacco from the users, and then have to fight the urge to hose the smokers down with Febreze. Seriously, employers should choose to not employ drug addicts, which is exactly what tobacco smokers (and chewers) are. Smokers do create an air of unfairness, which breeds contempt, and which simply stinks. Pun is incidental.

I think a lot of this really depends on the industry you are in and how crucial it is that one person may have stepped out for a smoke break. I worked at Starbucks (years ago), where those employees who smoked, were allowed as many breaks as needed. Some people were good about taking a few while others managed to be gone half their shift! It really isn't about who smokes and who doesn't, but rather who REALLY works hard and who's looking for ways to escape the office. As long as you are being 100% productive and efficient, take as many breaks as you need. For those of us, like myself, who do not smoke - relax! Get up and walk around if you need a break, no one will chide you for it.

There are great friendships/networking that arise stepping out on break time with "smokers". We talk about work, whatelse! We figure out how to solve problems, work on solutions. Bottom line is: Worry about what you are doing, not what other people are doing! If you are so concerned where and what your fellow co-worker is doing, apparently you are not busy enough.

The company I work for actually bought gazebos and "butt cans" for several areas (5 to be exact) around our property. There are so many folks who take 4-5 breaks per day, including my boss. Unfortunately, a lot of those folks are salaried, and think their work hours are 24/7, so they don't abide by set break times. It is unfortunate that non-smokers don't end up with the same treatment in some companies and don't get the same amount of freedom. Often I end up doing extra work because of a smoking colleague. To make up for it, I play computer games or surf the net each time he goes to smoke....just like I'm doing now.

Guess What Rich - my lungs belong to me too. I chose to keep them clean not poluted by second hand smoke. Stastics indicate that smokers and the obese are unhealthy and cost most companies more in health care benefits & productivity. Several individuals have indicated that they want to quit smoking....what are you waiting for? I am sure that nonsmokers play computer games, etc but I have seen smokers do the same. All work places should be smoke free. When any person has a personal habit that infringes on the rights of others or costs their company money -then it is time to change your habit or accept the consequences.

I am a smoker and some how I manage to ONLY take 1 or 2 smoke breaks a day while at work that are 7 minutes each....and I also get to smoke during my 1 hr lunch...if your habit is soooo bad that you cannot abide by the company rules then maybe you should quit...either your job or smoking...one or the other. It is unfair to those who DO abide by company break policies. My partner however takes 6 or more breaks a day ultimately dumping everything on me...and I too am a smoker. Its a problem and I will NOT be taken advantage of. *sorry guys needed to vent my frustrations somewhere...sorry for the rant*.

Wow,
is it the preception of smokers that makes you feel small, or the fact that non-smokers have finally stood up and said we are not going to take this, that causes such personal attack? Truth is...it is a habit, everyone has annoyances, But to say smokers are more productive assures the non-smokers, that smoking and the drugs eluded to in other posts, do significantly effect ones judgement!

So I go outside twice a day to smoke on my breaks. SEVERAL non smokers come with me to leave the cube farm as well. Does that mean since they watch they aren't productive either? On these breaks thats when I use my Blackberry to check my personal email etc so I'm not using company property or wasting company time at my desk. I also work 10 hour days and get paid for 8 and typically I only take a 1/2 hour lunch. That sounds pretty productive to me. The issue really revolves around people actually taking a break and still putting in their 8 hours. There are non productive people everywhere, smokers or not. Take your breaks if you're entitled and just be productive when you're supposed to be.

I forgot to add a comment about companies not hiring smokers. I also heard that companies will have the say if they hire overweight or obese people, because they have so many health issues. Like I said before, this is still America - lets keep it that way.

Non-smokers do get their time away from their desk. It is called two 15 minutes break and a lunch break during the work day. That is when I smoke. How does it affect productivity or the fairness of non-smokers is beyond me. I also know that it is recommended that if you are at your computer/desk you are supposed to take a couple minute break from the screen and keyboard every hour because of carpal tunnel and vision problems that arise.

I think the bigger problem that smokers will face are that businesses and companies are not hiring smokers. It's been an increasing trend over the last few years.

Matthew, I'm so glad to finally hear a smart comment from an ex-smoker such as yourself! I have always been a non-smoker, and as a child had to endure a CLOSED CAR with my parents both smoking in COLD Buffalo, NY - I had no say in that at all. Then as an adult, always having to breath in that nasty smoke if I was out with friends at a bar. No one could ever tell if I was the smoker or not. Now thank goodness businesses no longer allow their employees to smoke inside. I can remember when it WAS allowed, and boy, did I HATE that too!

I wish everyone who does smoke would realize how detrimental it is to their health - AND the health of everyone around them - even if they are OUTSIDE. Kudos to all of you who have been able to stop smoking - all of us that do NOT smoke are very happy that you made that smart, healthy choice!!! :^)

I think the real issue has been lost in the smokers versus non smokers debate. I my opinion the fair option would be to allow non smokers 5 to 10 minutes to get away from the desk and shake off the stress ever couple of hours as well.

Is there any evidence to show that smokers are more productive than non-smokers? I highly doubt it. The bottom line is that if a smoker is taking 4 or 5 smoke "breaks" and it's about 5 minutes off, then the non-smokers should get their time off too. Why should they work while smokers get to take a break?

The debate here isn't Smokers vs. Non-smokers...that is furthest from the issue. It's Responsible smokers vs. Irresponsible ones.

If anyone abuses any privilege, whether it be bathroom, lunch, or coffee breaks, it has a negative conotation on that person and affects the culture of the office overall.

If a smoker takes the designated time he's allotted, there should be no issue. The problem is smoking is often used a scapegoat to simply escape from the office (and your troubles to some extent).

I still smoke, but I haven't smoked at the office since January, and I've been much more productive. It's not to say that smoking makes you LESS productive (as everyone is different), but for me its important to continue a stream of thought until I finish my work. I find it inefficient to stop what I'm doing to smoke, only to come back and take 5 minutes to pick up where I left off.

At the end of the day, I go home and smoke however much I want, because that's my time and I'm off of work.

How has this turned into [Smokers v. Non-Smokers]? It should be up to the company as to how they want to enforce break time procedures. If smoking has become a major disruption at your work place, then make a formal complaint about the protocol. With the correct approach I've found that constructive feedback is appreciated...

How can you blame your colleague for taking advantage of something that is (obviously) acknowledged and accepted by the employer?

As for myself, smoking has become a valuable networking tool - Without exception I've made enough to cover the habit, increased healthcare premiums, and extra money to pocket... At the end of the day, I admit it is a terrible habit to have. However, we do live in America, and I do believe in free choice (I will blacktar my lungs as I see fit...they are mine afterall).

To Wordsmith - For your information, I roll my own cigarettes because of the cost. And you are very welcome for all the taxes I pay so that you can have a better life. If you want to live in Russia, please go there. This is America! I also want to reitterate that I do get more work done than the so called non-smokers because of the issues I already stated. It is a fact. And the only time I ever had to go to the doctor was when I gave birth. The "non-smokers" are sick, running to to the doctor, making up every excuse why they can't get their jobs done. (carpal tunnel, bad backs, acid reflux, and on and on). THOUGHT: Ever wonder why all the people who drink diet pop are obese? What is in fake sugar? Why are so many kids diagnosed with Autisim and ADHD now at record numbers? Something else is going on and it is not the cigarette smoke. They want you to be so distracted with the smoking concern that everyone overlooks what else is going on.

A smoker usually takes 5 min. for 1. 20 to 30 is uninformed and stupid. If your taking that much time your probably actually networking.

[Teri: "I am a smoker, and yes it relieves the stresses and aggravations of the day. I believe it makes me more able to handle the people I have to go back into the office with for 8 hours. I also notice that the smokers are more productive than the non-smokers. I don’t think non-smokers need a smoke break because they are playing solitaire, e-mailing chain letters and jokes, talking on the phone to family/friends, etc. I smoke, get back to work and get my job done and then some."]

Aside from your unsubstantiated, anecdotal rationalization about why smokers are more productive employees than their non-smoking counterparts, of course smoking relieves your stress. Do you realize among the chemicals the tobacco companies add to the tobacco paste (which is later cut into the shreds which are packed into the cigarette paper) is a mood elevator.
You should see what they do to the innocent tobacco leaf before you burn it. It is dried to powder; nearly a dozen chemicals are added to it and it is mixed into a pasty goo. That goo is then poureded out into large sheets which are, once again, baked. Then those sheets are cut into smaller sheets and more chemicals are added before they run the sheets of what used to be tobacco through shredders to produce the bits of stuff that you smoke. You'd be far better off to go to Kentucky or North Carolina, buy the raw leaf, dry it, shred it, and roll your own. What you're currently smoking is less tobacco and more and more flavored, drugged, brown paper.