Put things in pespective. Non-smokers get a single 15 minute break midway between 8am and noon, and a second 15 minute break midway between 1pm and 5.
Smokers, as I have seen, take a 'smoke break' whenever the mood strikes. It is not fair that smokers get to take multiple breaks, and non-smokers must follow the rules.
Now, if smokers get the SAME treatment as non-smokers; then the only difference remains the addictive and health issues. That is a separate arguement.
When Loring Air Force Base was here, I was the SATO Travel Agent on Base. There were two of us. The other was a male, and he didn't smoke. He was obese and liked to eat. I smoked.
I could step outside for a cigarette break. When I was busy, I never thought about having a cigarette. Especially during the last Desert Storm, we went non-stop. It was only when I wasn't busy, then I thought about going out for a cigarette.
The Government Employees get one 10 minute break in the morning and one 10 minute break in the afternoon, and also lunch. Even though we worked on Base for the military, we weren't GS. We were DOD.
I believe if a smoker is outside constantly smoking, that is the fault of the boss, and evidentially, the employee is not busy enough. People who smoke also have to respect their positions and not over step the breaks. Can't they see that this is really grinding in the knife that is reason for the bans?
But to take away all smoking breaks and ban smoking on the "private property" for control of a person's behavior is just dead wrong. How about the fatty that sits at their desk all day eating? They have their "cake and can eat it too." It's not the fault of the smoker that the fatty doesn't get up and move around. They, too, could run outside with smokers and get a breath of fresh air and stretch their limbs. This is utter BS not to mention total control of 25-30% of the employees that work in such positions.
On the flipside, I have worked with people who would brag "I don't take breaks". Funny, those same people would have the internet going and chatting on the company ICQ all day, while I was working. I guess they don't consider that a "break". I'm not at work now. Are YOU?
I wish - I'm actually getting to take a lunch break today, & I'll get a cigarette then. It'll be the first since 6 am, and the last til 5 pm. Don't begrudge me my one little cigarette.