Cigarette break

SJ Online ^ | March 18, 2002 | Lisa Chmelecki

[Just another Joe]

Norm LeBrun remembers the days when he could light up at his work station. Then came the new rule: no smoking anywhere but the smoking room.

That lasted for several years. Then the tiny room became too expensive to ventilate. Lebrun and anyone else who couldn’t go eight hours without a cigarette were forced out back.

Ever since, they have gathered here in the middle of a windy alley in downtown Lewiston.

Two, three, four times a day, no matter what the weather, they leave their offices and desks at a local financial-service company to satisfy their cravings for nicotine.

It happens every several feet in the alleyways behind Lisbon Street. Smokers come and go, huddling around ashtrays and buckets filled with sand.

Most of them don’t want their names used and they are reluctant to have their pictures taken. They insist that they are not ashamed of their addiction. But some admit that their spouses, children and parents don’t know about their habit or still believe they’ve quit.

Many have bosses who don’t mind their short absences. They get a certain amount of time each day, and they can split it up any way they like. One woman takes two 10-minute breaks, usually at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Her co-worker, a 27-year-old man who has been smoking since his early teens, takes his allotted 20 minutes in four five-minute intervals. That is what his habit – one and a half packs a day – requires.

Some don’t mind being pushed outside to smoke. “It gives me a chance to get outdoors in the fresh air,” says a 42-year-old telemarketer named Bill.

Others hate it. They are tired of being told when and where they can smoke. They’ve been banned from malls, restaurants, even their own homes. And they don’t think it is fair.

“I think there should be restaurants for nonsmokers and restaurants for smokers,” insists LeBrun.

A block away, Bill takes a drag, thinks for a second, and says, “They should make it illegal if it is that bad for you. Until then, they should just let us smoke.”

Despite the frustrations that come along with being part of a shrinking minority, local smokers say there is camaraderie in the dark, cold alleyways. People who work for maintenance get to meet people in the data-processing department. Salesmen chat with social workers.

They complain about work. They share weekend plans and vacation memories.

For 21-year-old Melissa Bolduc, who is too young to recall the days when smoking at work was as normal as drinking coffee, having 15 minutes a day to escape her cubicle at a local bank seems perfectly reasonable.

But she could do without the lectures that come when she returns.

[Just another Joe]

Most of them don’t want their names used and they are reluctant to have their pictures taken.
They insist that they are not ashamed of their addiction. But some admit that their spouses, children and parents don’t know about their habit or still believe they’ve quit.
Wussies. If you smoke you should have the b*lls to admit it to anyone that wants to know.

[Just another Joe]

Can ANYONE tell me why a person wouldn't want their picture taken or their name used?
At least if they're being honest with people.

[dmz]

Some don’t mind being pushed outside to smoke. “It gives me a chance to get outdoors in the fresh air

does this comment strike anyone else as amusing/ironic?

[AppyPappy]

Luckily, I quit just before the anti-smoking crowd won the war.

[Rubber Ducky]

Smokers use a disproportionate amount of health insurance and shave maybe 5 or 10 years off their life with their habit. They also lack the political protection of gays who do far worse on both counts.

One lifestyle is supressed. Another, far more dangerous, lifestyle is promoted. Go figure.

[Dimensio]

I was going to comment, but I was afraid of being branded as a liberal commie because I don't smoke and would dare to find humour at the expense of a smoker.

[Gunner9mm]

If we legalize marijuana, will I be able to smoke it at my workstation?

[Woodstock]

If you really want to hear what is going on at a company, visit the smoking area for a while.

[geaux]

I thought it was funny, too.

[Just another Joe]

Luckily, I quit just before the anti-smoking crowd won the war.

Some of us are still trying to fight a rear guard battle.

[Just another Joe]

You can comment all you like.
Just be prepared to either have us laugh WITH you or attack like the savage dogs that we are.

[Just another Joe]

Up to company policy, I'd say.

[Just another Joe]

If you really want to hear what is going on at a company, visit the smoking area for a while.

Ping! Right on target.

[Rowdee]

As someone who quit smoking 10 months ago, I have a very selfish reason for wanting the fedgov busybodies to BAN cigarettes, cigars, and the like.......I've love to see all the bitchers have to stick more of their precious $$$$$ into the state and fed coffers to pay for everybody elses' kiddies to have health insurance, to pay scumbag lawyers, to pay for enhancing habitat of 'endangered' species, and the like.

I can't wait to see all the pissed off do-gooders......but it ain't gonna happen, if course, the sumsabeaches in power know where the money comes from.....

As to your big concern over these people not wanting their names or pictures taken, would you object if you were photo'd and id'd after having an orgasm--that is, if you do? Your question is about as ridiculous as mine.....regards :)

[Hila]

Yes, it is ironic/idiotic that smokers crave fresh air, only to contaminate it. They make our air dirty, especially going in and out of buildings - it stinks! Smokers do stink.

[Dimensio]

Just be prepared to either have us laugh WITH you or attack like the savage dogs that we are.

Haven't had your cigarette break today, eh?
*ducks incoming projectiles*

[Hila]

Yes, it is ironic/idiotic that smokers want out to enjoy some fresh air, therefore polluting yet another pocket of non-smoke air. If smokers crave clean air, how much more their lungs; if smokers crave clean air, can they understand that others crave it too. More power to those who are seeking to break their addiction.

[Just another Joe]

would you object if you were photo'd and id'd after having an orgasm

Not a problem, as long as they don't show me in full frontal nudity.
From the waist up nude or full figure clothed. It wouldn't make the least bit of difference to me.
It's like my scoutmaster used to say to the new scouts, "Don't be shy, I'm not."

[Uncle Sausage]

Once did some work for a company that had two coat rooms for the employees, one for smokers and one for non-smokers. Seems the non-smokers didn't want the smell from the smokers coats to spread to theirs.