Do "smoking breaks" anger you?
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
United States
April 14, 2007 2:20pm CST
I am a nonsmoker and I have to say I get very irritated with the smokers at work being able to take numerous "smoke breaks" because they can't smoke at work indoors.
I think they should be given 2 or 3 breaks and EVERYONE gets them, smokers and nonsmokers. If you need more then that for your cigs, then start punching out for the breaks. I've seen it abused ample times.
Hey, I'd love a beer every now and then however I'm certain they won't give me "beer breaks" (although the one company I worked for had headquarters in Holland that did just that! LOL). What's the difference? Both are considered in the family of "drugs", alcohol and tobacco. Both are "habits" or likes and desires that we take as a special stress reliever.
Anyone else get tired of the "smoking breaks" and feel like they're not only abused but discriminated because they don't get so many breaks a day?
17 people like this
20 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
14 Apr 07
I am a smoker. The job I do right now, I'm outside a lot so it's easier for me to grab a but if I need one. My last job however we had 2 breaks period, wheter you smoked or not. I have never heard of a work place giving extra breaks to smokers. I fee you are eronious in your statement that nonsmokers are discriminated against. It is quite the opposite. Smokers by far are more discriminated against. there are fewer and fewer places we are allowed to light up. Some states are now trying to tell us we cant smoke in our own cars or homes. what I do in those places is my business. What angers me, miss, is the arrogence of some nonsmokers.
8 people like this
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@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
14 Apr 07
We have the same here... companies that will not hire smokers or that say if you do smoke you cannot smoke within a certain radius of the building. We will see smokers congregating across the street from big companies.
I am only speaking of the discrimination of "smoking breaks". I have never worked in an atmosphere where people have NOT been allowed to take them. I've worked in offices my whole life and it's always been allowed that "smoking breaks" are okay and not even counted. I'm sorry, but that's simply not fair. What if I wanted an "air" break every time they took a smoking break? I'm certain it wouldn't be allowed.
5 people like this
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@elizabethbathory (1132)
• United States
14 Apr 07
I'm a non-smoker and all of my co-workers are non-smokers, too, so it doesn't affect me directly, but I see people in other departments taking up to five breaks per day, well beyond the allowed two, and no one seems to say anything. I suppose it's how slealthy you are about it, but I can see how it would be annoying.
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
14 Apr 07
Me and my coworkers do not smoke so we do not have to worry about this situation. When I am in my bowling league, many of the people do smoke and they are constantly going in and out of the alley to smoke. It is very disturbing to me and my team and can really disrupt someones bowling game when we have to wait for them to come back from their smoke break. I think it is unfair that smokers take extra breaks to smoke while nonsmokers only get a couple breaks.
5 people like this
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
15 Apr 07
All I have to say is that those nonsmokers who feel as tho they are holier than thou can do one of two things--take a coffee break and quit crying OR be forced to work with all the smokers who have been denied their smoke breaks for an entire shift.
I think that will make you grateful for smoke breaks.
4 people like this
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@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Which is it?
Are they smoking inside or out?
According to your original post it isn't a matter of your health--it's a matter of feeling slighted about smokers going outside to smoke.
Can't you get coffee (or a soda or whatever) when you want it?
If not, then that is unfair.
All I'm saying is that being around smokers that can't go smoke at least every couple hours is a whole lot less pleasant than working alone for 10 minutes every couple hours.
Excuse my previous bluntness, I'm crabby for a few more days yet...nothing personal, I just can't always control it.
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
23 Apr 07
LOL... it's ok. I don't take it too personally when people get grumpy. I'll just assume you're trying to kick the habit? LOL JUST TEASING!
Yes, we can get soda and coffee when desired but so can they. It is a matter of being slighted the time and ability to "destress" away from our desks too. Sure, there's always the matter of health conciousness but it's not the true issue at hand. I just don't think it's fair that they can take so many breaks when those who don't smoke cannot. I really don't care that they smoke and yes, you are right I do prefer they do it outside as opposed to inside with me having to breath that air but that wasn't my point. I was more upset over the time off issue.
I will say though, that others have commented and used the words "de-stress" to show why it happens. I suppose in some ways it's better to allow these people to walk away for a bit then put up with a smoker not being able to have a hit when needed!
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Nobody feels holier than thou. It's a matter of health. I CHOSE not to smoke. Smokers CHOSE to smoke. I don't force my poor eating habits on others and make them overweight like me. But for someone to sit in my area and force me to share their 2nd hand smoke and possibly die from it is simply wrong. It's not a matter of feeling holier than anyone. It's a matter of choice and I chose not to destroy my body in that way. Because you choose to smoke and destroy your body that way doesn't mean anyone else should suffer.
Perhaps every time I have gas I should go to their desk and let one go long and hard? It's simply the after effects of my poor eating habits. So why not?
When your "rights" infringe upon the rights of others then it's no longer a right. Giving them their own area to smoke is fine. Allowing them to get up and leave their jobs 10 times a day simply isn't. What's right for one is right for all. But in this case it just hasn't been so.
1 person likes this
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@SageMother (2277)
• United States
16 Apr 07
You could always go outside with the smokers and take a break. The chances of the second hand smoke making you ill are alot slimmer than people would have you believe especially since you would be outside.
3 people like this
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@Carrie26 (1587)
• United States
3 May 07
Not to be mean but that would be like us trying to say that snuff doesnt cause cancer or smoking for that matter.No matter what I used to be work as a nurse at the hospitals on numerous floors and sometimes I would get sent to the cancer floor and I seen what smoking could do to a person as well as to people that told me they never smoked a day in their life but worked in a restaraunt around people that smoked that would come in to eat in the restaraunt and the person ended up getting cancer from second hand smoke becuae that was their jon to wait on the table regardless if they wanted to or not thus putting thier healht in danger becuase they had to work to make a living and couldnt say I do not want to work around smoke.Even oustide I can smell the smoke as strong as ever especaily if workers are smoking in agroup.I can smell the smoke when I go places even when a person is smoking outside and it burns my nose.So I know for a fact even outside you are still getting some of the second hand smoke.
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
16 Apr 07
SageMother...plus plus plus, very good post!
2 people like this
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@charlestchan (1415)
• Malaysia
15 Apr 07
i seriously hate smokerSS!!!!.. i just don't understand why they have to smoke infront of non smokers.. is it fun? i don't know...what is smoke break? they get a break cause they need to smoke? what on earth lol.. how bout non smokers? they don't have a break? that is like total discrimination isn't it? =_=
3 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I don't really have an issue with the smoking aspect. If they want to smoke, fine with me, just not in my face and not if it means taking extra breaks. I think what's fair for one is fair for all.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
23 Apr 07
It's not really even a "written" thing for most companies. I do know that one insurance company here has designated smoke breaks where the employees congregate together at certain times (a bell actually rings) and they have to go across the street off the premises to smoke. Most places though dont' actually state that you have these breaks, the people just take them. Of course these aren't manufacturing places where you have to leave a machine, etc. and I believe that most of those do stick with everyone gets 2 breaks of 15 min. each and a lunch so that's when they smoke. But any office I've worked in has allowed for smoking breaks whenever the person wants to walk away from their desk. It's never been a written rule but just an accepted practice.
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Wow, I am hated...ok, and oh well, I never got "extra breaks" for being a smoker. Mine had to be taken when everyone else's were. Most non-smokers talked about nonsense rumors about one another and munched on junk food while smokers milled outside in the freezing cold at the designatad areas huffing down quick in order to be able to "deal" with both the customer BS and the non-smoker bs....nobody got "more breaks" than others...ever.
Still wondering what companies allow more breaks for smokers in the US.
1 person likes this
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@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
15 Apr 07
I agree that when people take smoke breaks outside the regular break times, they are simply wasting time. Non smokers would be punished or at least SPOKEN TO about taking random breaks because they wouldn't be doing anything. Wait...let's take a fart break...that way we will be doing something!
2 people like this
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Wow, what place do people work to get to take breaks whenever they WANT to????? Must be someplace that still functions in the first century cuz I have never seen it...and I am 40 - have worked for a myriad of places and occupations in the US!!!!
1 person likes this
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Wow, what place do people work to get to take breaks whenever they WANT to????? Must be someplace that still functions in the first century cuz I have never seen it...and I am 40 - have worked for a myriad of places and occupations in the US!!!!
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@iloveit (316)
• Canada
15 Apr 07
Mostly it doesnt but when I am working with people or someone whom I am interacting with and they keep going for a break it does bother a little because it breaks either my conversation or the flow of conversation or it breaks the flow of my work. I am a non smoker as well.
3 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
See, so it DOES happen and it DOES interfere with work! That's my point. I don't care if people smoke. All the more power to them. They picked their "evil", I've picked mine. (All hail the chocolate gods ... lol) But it does effect me and others when it cuts into work over and over!
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
15 Apr 07
You know, that really does burn me up too. I take students to the hospital to learn to become nurses. The nurses who smoke get smoke breaks. I wonder why those of us who love to eat sweets and feel as though we are addicted to sweets don't get 'Little Debbie' breaks so that we may go and take down a quick sugar fix...oatmeal cake, Swiss Roll cake, Zebra stripe cake....whatever our heart desires! I think I'll organize a strike centered around the use of breaks!
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
LMAO... Little Debbie breaks.. I love it! See, that's my beef too. I'm not addressing the rights and wrongs of smoking and the health issues (other then my own when put in the position of having to deal with 2nd hand smoke). We know it's "bad for you" just as we know over eating and eating junk food is bad for us. I chose to eat junk, I pay the price in having a big ol' booty. I don't mind being what I am and realize that I pretty much made my own bed. But you are right, I don't take breaks to run to the snack machine, sit and enjoy a snack and then come back to work and then do it again and again. Then again, I don't think my poor butt could stand that without getting so big I couldn't fit in my chair! LOL
1 person likes this
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I KNOW what you mean! I used to work and I had a friend joke he wanted to take up smoking so he could take lots of breaks. Its true. They get to take breaks to feed their habbits. Its a gross habbit and I'm sorry for anyone who began. Ick. :((
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I feel for them having such a bad habit too, but hey, it's their choice. Just as we all have other things we choose to do that aren't good for us. I'm sure people get offended by those who drink booze, not even over drink. I'm sure there are those health nuts that cringe every time they drive by a McDonald's. To each their own but not when it becomes something that creates an unfair atmosphere if you ask me.
1 person likes this
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I have been a smoker for 27 years and I agree with you, however, I have never worked anywhere where smokers get preferential treatment.
2 people like this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
15 Apr 07
You are missing the point i do not smoke and never have so when my fellow workers call a smoke break i will wait far a while then call on myself and have been questioned on it several time and have informed my employer that if they are allowed to step away from the job for a smoke outside then i am intitled to do the same so long as i use the same amout of time i usually go out side for 3-4 mins then return to my job. I have told them it is a form a discrimination not to allow me the right and privliges as a smoker. So far so good.
3 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Ahhhhh! Well good for you! Any of my jobs it was never brought up other then within a group of workers that complained to each other. I simply didn't want the hassles of putting one against the other and kept my mouth shut but I did resent that they could get up and walk away whenever they felt like it and take a smoking break. Some of them even abused it to the point of smoking 2 or 3 and being gone for 1/2 at a time or more!
1 person likes this
@easymoney75503 (1702)
• United States
16 Apr 07
i have worked for companies that if you want a break you take it at the time allowed no one is specail. i have worked at places to where you could smoke at your desk. i have worked at places where if you needed a smoke you just go and do it as long as someone will cover you. when i worked at that place i think there was only like 3 of us that smoked and about 12 that didnt. i would ask if they minded watching my area so i could smoke they would do it and not complain. at the same time though i would ask them hey you want to just go to the bathroom or step outside for a break i will watch for you. 9 times out of 10 they would say no. taht there was no point in just standing outside. lol. i have worked lots of places the boss smoked so tehy would always ask hey you want to take a break so i could smoke with them. alot of times people that didnt smoke would ask hey mind if i come and just get air the boss didnt mind. instead of complaining why dont you do just that and go out for fresh air breaks. if they can take smoke breaks then take air breaks. i would. i mean people i have worked with in many places do. you cant say you are discriminated against till you try and take a fresh air break. the thing is most non smokers dont ask so therefore they dont get.
2 people like this
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
15 Apr 07
I see that at work all the time as well and it does seem a bit unfair.
I think they are really stretching the no smoking inside rules to fit their own purposes.
If that is that case, then other non-smokers should be allowed fresh air breaks of equal time.
3 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I agree. It's the abusers that make it bad for all, but that's the case in all of society. Rules are made and acted upon because of those that have chosen to abuse their rights. I don't think nonsmokers would even bat an eye if the smokers took a few short breaks but when it becomes a constant and abused situation that's when others get angry.
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I agree. That's the perfect solution to it. You get so many breaks a day, do what you want on them. Fair for all.
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
15 Apr 07
well not really...since im not a smoker then im not then entitled of it lol..like you too! here in our place smokers have specific places to smoke like their home or anywhere that is private and cant affect anybody's who are none smoker..its not allowed in working places and public offices / place as well..
2 people like this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
15 Apr 07
Yes this makes be very mad. I am also a nonsmoker and I have to stay and work while my boss and coworkers go outside to smoke all the time. My boss is outside smoking all the time and getting paid for smoking.I wish there was something that could be done about this, it's not fair to the rest of us that dont smoke.
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I work in the accounting office of a public company. None of us smoke- so there are no smoking breaks! However if we did I'm sure we could pop outside for a quick smoke. There are smokers in other departments of the office- I have called for their help a few times to be told they were smoking- I call this unnecesary! Smoke on your breaks or your lunch break- In accounting when we call we usually need the info ASAP- I have had to go to the picnic table area outside to get someone from the IT department several times from one of these breaks- It's just wrong. I can't imagine saying Oh I'm sorry I missed that gov't deadline because I was smoking- : )
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
3 May 07
I also am i non smoker, but when i worked i used to smoke. But here in canada we have rules about this kind of thing. For an 8 hour day, you get two 15 minute breaks, and a half an hour lunch which you punch out for. no matter where you were you are allowed to take those breaks. but i guess if your employer is lax you could take more then that if your a smoker.. But i agree with you, that they shouldnt be allowed to do less work, or spend less time inside, (especially in thte sumer when its nice out!! LET THEM FREEZE OUTSIDE IN THE WINter!! LOL. i always laugh at my hubby when he comes inside in the winter from smoking complaining its cold) then anyone else!! that's just not fair. There are some places in canada now that you are not allowed to even smoke in public, i dont know how they are enforcing that rule, but i know on the east coast your not allowed to smoke in public. anywhere other people could smell, or see you smoke your not allowed. AWESOME Eh ? It's so bad for people and the people around them, i think we should all quit!! sorry smokers, but its true adn you all know it :P
1 person likes this
@neglitex (347)
• Latvia
15 Apr 07
Yeah if you asked for just a break they probably won't give it to you but if you told that you need to have a smoke they'd probably give it to you. that's pretty unfair to nonsmokers. People can smoke how much and where ever they want until they don't disturb me. For example when I'm an at a bus stop waiting for a bus and some damn smoker comes sits next to me and starts smoking I'm just so pissed off. Not only that passive smoking is bad for your health it's very annoying when someone does that.
2 people like this
@kidrosey (44)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I have one experience that was frustrating. I worked with a guy that smoked and would walk outside once an hour or so to smoke. The owner of the company never said a word to him. After a while, every time he would go out to smoke, I would just stand around and do nothing for the entire duration of his smoke break. When he came back I would get back to work. The owner eventually saw me just standing around and I sorta got in trouble until I explained to him what was going on. The owner told my co-worker that under California law he was allowed two 10 minute breaks per 8 hour shift (or something to that extent). Any other time that he wanted to smoke he would have to clock out in order to go take a smoke break.
2 people like this
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