cigarette breaks

[hovis]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6441351.stm


think i might start smoking,

[Ceri JC]

More than that at our place. The smokers' breaks invariably overlap (IE they don't all go at the same time) and people strike up conversations whilst puffing away. They then continue to talk with the other smokers who have arrived long after their ciggarette is finished. It's not uncommon for some of them to spend 20 minutes per cigarette. People might argue that non-smokers waste time too (coming here for example), but I doubt having ciggie breaks precludes them from other wastes of time such as personal internet use, nattering with colleagues at their desks, etc.

Edit: Just thought I'd clarify that this doesn't really bother me (no smokers in my dept anyway, least not ones who smoke in work), just that it was an observation.

[MiniMatt]

Hell, some of my best work has come about as a result of ciggy breaks. You're stuck on a problem, you go out for some "fresh" air and the solution comes to you; or you meet with someone else who takes a completely different angle on the problem and the solution comes to you.

No different to "water cooler chat" to be honest. Plus, to all the non-smokers, consider this - the smokers will die earlier, therefore putting far less of a strain on your creaking corporate pension fund. We're smoking, so you don't have to :D

[Pedro68]

Don't worry Hovis ...all those 30 minutes are added up and removed off the end of a smokers life ;-) so you'll get to live (and work) even longer than most of them ;-)

[Flamin_Squirrel]

You know that things have got to peachy in your life when the worst thing you've got to complain about are people being away from their desks for a few mins.

[keithd]

and you get your forum breaks.

everybody's happy.

[hovis]

and you get your forum breaks.

.
not officaily i dont;)

[chris8886]

i agree with hovis, it's almost worth taking up, especially in the summer, so you can go out and stand in the sun for a bit!!

[MiniMatt]

i agree with hovis, it's almost worth taking up, especially in the summer, so you can go out and stand in the sun for a bit!!

Oh no you don't, no part time smokers here thank you very much :D You either stand out here in the rain and howling gales with us all winter or you don't :D Smoking takes dedication and commitment, we're not having you "fair weather smokers" round here thank you :D

[Pedro68]

... and ... smoking ages the skin ... so does over-exposure to harmful AV rays (from the sun), so if you want a double dose of "turn me into a shrivelled prune", be my guest ;-)

[TheDangerousQuietOne]

I used to get as many fag breaks as I wanted and it always made me more productive as I'd work harder inbetween breaks.

[ThEGr33k]

I think that any break smokers have we should be allowed. N' tbh i can go out for a fresh air break... but atm i think ill pass :p.

N1 pedro with the smoking facts. :D

BTW smoking dont take dedication... anything that is an adiction surly becomes need not desire. I suppose i cant say for certain cos i dont smoke.

[Lissa]

If I'm really busy at work, I don't even think about having a cigarette in-between my normal break times. If I'm standing around with nothing to do, I'll nip out for a quick fag. I'm not wasting working time as I have no work:p

[Well Oiled]

Plus, to all the non-smokers, consider this - the smokers will die earlier, therefore putting far less of a strain on your creaking corporate pension fund. We're smoking, so you don't have to :D

Yep, but that's after we non-smokers have spent a fortune paying for your lung cancer treatment ;)

[Lissa]

Yep, but that's after we non-smokers have spent a fortune paying for your lung cancer treatment ;)

Yeah, right................the amount of tax us smokers pay we could cover the running costs of the entire NHS.................just like road tax could give us superb roads.................if it wasn't milked off by the government for other things:rolleyes:

[DoubleD]

... you go out for some "fresh" air ......


I loved saying that when going for a smoke.

[ThEGr33k]

Its not quite on subject but is at the same time, sig breaks when out of the bike. How many people have i seen now stopping for a fag on a ride out? LOADS. WTF is that about is what im wondering! :smt075

[lukemillar]

Yep, but that's after we non-smokers have spent a fortune paying for your lung cancer treatment ;)

But that's after we have paid for all the triple heart bypasses! ;)

Remind me again what is Britain's number 1 killer?

Hands up all those who are over-weight!

[the_runt69]

But that's after we have paid for all the triple heart bypasses! ;)

Remind me again what is Britain's number 1 killer?

Hands up all those who are over-weight!

Not that many smokers.
Being the office boss and a smoker if any non smoking staff want to go for a fresh air break i have no objection as long as we're not busy. If its busy i dont expect the smokers to go for a fag either, I dont.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

But that's after we have paid for all the triple heart bypasses! ;)

Remind me again what is Britain's number 1 killer?

Hands up all those who are over-weight!

You make it sound like non-smokers die suddenly and cheaply in their beds. I suspect that not only are non-smokers death throws just as pricey, but as we're more likely to live well into pensionable age that non-smokers are a bigger net drain than smokers are.

[northwind]

The alternative is that the smokers don't have a fag, and turn into bad-tempered savages by mid-afternoon. I'd sooner they go and have a break before they go into withdrawal, myself. It's pretty much common sense for employers to work around the addiction.

[hovis]

while the rest of us have to work

[northwind]

Aye, but like I say the alternative is that they become less effective, and cause you hassle all day, so it's common sense to deal with it. I take a 5 minute break every couple of hours and go on the net or whatever, because I work better for the other 2 hours, it's the same sort of thing.

[hovis]

well.......... i wonder round all day looking important or im on the net or i go to asda, so i cant complain.

[ThEGr33k]

Another alternative Northy is to not employ smokers :rolleyes:.

Itll be great in the army... 3 hours through a fire fight. "Hey lads just cover my im lighting up" :smt066:smt103

[northwind]

Another alternative Northy is to not employ smokers :rolleyes:.


True, but by ruling some people out you'll often end up not hiring the best man for the job.

[Lissa]

True, but by ruling some people out you'll often end up not hiring the best man for the job.

AHEM!!!

[northwind]

Or you might even carelessly recruit a woman! God knopws where that would end. Certainly some poor man's ironing woudn't get done, and it would be entirely your fault. Think twice!

[Lissa]

Ironing, certainly, and no cooking, or cleaning, or knitting of socks either!

I've been doing it the wrong way all these years. I should give up my job and stay at home knitting the loo and bleaching socks.................or something like that:D

[phil24_7]

Well don't just talk about it Lisa, get off your lazy backside and do it! ;-) :-D

[yorkie_chris]

Itll be great in the army... 3 hours through a fire fight. "Hey lads just cover my im lighting up" :smt066:smt103

I can smoke and shoot at the same time.

Can't see HSE telling me I'm endangering the people sharing the air in a field while I have a loaded shotgun in my hands either :D

[ThEGr33k]

I can smoke and shoot at the same time.

Can't see HSE telling me I'm endangering the people sharing the air in a field while I have a loaded shotgun in my hands either :D

They dont often (if at all) use shotguns any more in the army ;).

I could shoot a gun with my eyes closed... dont mean ill be anygood :smt077

[skint]

Smoking is not allowed at my place during work. Anyone who wants a cigarette has to do so in their own time. Neither is it allowed on any of the work property, including carpark. - Real result - there are no butt ends all over the ground by the entrance doors etc!

... Perhaps a 'smoker' here can explain why many smokers think its ok to flick their fag ends down anywhere. Had a word with one cretin yesterday who threw their fag end down on the floor when there was a specific fag bin right next to them. The look I got indicated that severe brain damage had already taken place, the mouth moved but words didn't come out...:D oh, I know people chuck litter down too, but its already been established that they're just thick :D

[BernardBikerchick]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6441351.stm


think i might start smoking,

don't get me started !!!! :smt013:smt013:smt013:smt013:smt013

[Flamin_Squirrel]

In the end, I don't think it's in anyones interest to pursue this as some sort of problem that needs solving. This is because inevitably, any solution will involve your daily movements being monitored and scrutinised by management. The thought of mini-hitlers patrolling the office sends shivers down my spine.

[lukemillar]

You make it sound like non-smokers die suddenly and cheaply in their beds. I suspect that not only are non-smokers death throws just as pricey, but as we're more likely to live well into pensionable age that non-smokers are a bigger net drain than smokers are.

?? Not really. I was just pointing out that people are always quick to jump on smokers regarding the NHS when in fact more people die every year from heart disease than lung cancer.

However, you do make a valid point that dead people aren't really a drain on the NHS!

[ThEGr33k]

I got a question then regarding heart disease. Do you think smoking helps heart disease? Im pretty sure it can be nothing but bad.

Here is another question. How many smokers dont drink that you know of? Not many ill bet! So that means that there is a good chance of smoker suffering from both problems. :rolleyes:

[lukemillar]

I got a question then regarding heart disease. Do you think smoking helps heart disease? Im pretty sure it can be nothing but bad.

Here is another question. How many smokers dont drink that you know of? Not many ill bet! So that means that there is a good chance of smoker suffering from both problems. :rolleyes:

Interesting point. Ok - this could get quite subjective as there are vast differences between the 1-2 cigarettes a day to a 40+ a day smoker. Likewise a 2-3 drinks a week person to a 15-20 drinks a week person.

I smoke probably 5 cigarettes a day and drink fairly moderately 5-10 drinks a week maybe? However, I would consider myself to be very fit, regularly run/gym and am in good health. Just because I smoke and drink (in moderation), doesn't mean I can't exercise.

This is not a clear cut argument by any means, but I do think that smokers are always very much first in the firing line.

[ThEGr33k]

Indeed. Very subjective.

I smoke none.

Drink 1-2 a week on average. (practically a none drinker).

Im pretty fit, go to gym often, Not much else do do on the base :(

heh.

Unfortunatly though i dont think fitness helps cancer at all. Infact i wouldnt be suprised if it might make it worse. :rolleyes:

I do have to say though that it does annoy me when i see that people cant put their tab in the bin!

[yorkie_chris]

I do have to say though that it does annoy me when i see that people cant put their tab in the bin!

Really clever system outside the uni, theres a bin in a convenient place on the wall, so you stub your cig out, drop it in the bin ..... and it falls straight out the bottom! Does that count as littering? :rolleyes: