One solution - a fair one, though not likely to be popular with either the smokers or the nons: The company establishes a policy that applies to ALL employees, stating that they all get a specific amount of break time during the work day. Employees can use the break time for smoking, napping, texting, meditating, whatever they want, as long as they stay within the time limit. The company publishes the policy, and has all employees sign or initial a memo stating that they understand the policy. The company uses a time-clock, if necessary, to make sure no one is abusing the policy. (That's the part that will not please anyone - no one likes time-clocks any more.) Alternatively, the non-smokers could just start taking "non-smoke" breaks equaling the smokers' breaks, and see how the management likes it. I am with the LW - I have seen far too many situations where smokers take lots of breaks to attend to their addiction (a lifestyle choice, if I may be so bold as to use the term), while non-smokers are expected to stay at their work stations except for meal breaks.

That's a really good idea. Or the company can state that the allotted lunch hour may be used for smoking or eating, but not both. Everyone gets an hour of downtime, period. If some choose to use it up on ciggie breaks, that's their problem. One thing that I didn't quite buy is that being near someone's smoky hair and clothes constitutes second hand smoke exposure. I've never heard that before and it seems like kind of a leap. The smell isn't pleasant, but I find it hard to believe it's the equivalent of inhaling actual smoke.

Perhaps it is just the state that I live in, but every company I have ever worked for has provided two 15 minute breaks and a half hour lunch for an 8 hours worked.

As a smoker, I use these times to enjoy my smoke. Very rarely have I ever gone over these time limits.

My non-smoking co-workers generally fall into one of two camps: 1) they never take their alloted break time or 2) they take walks on their breaks.

My point---who cares. It's just like your first grade teacher always told you- pay attention to yourself, and stop tattling on the kid at the next desk.

"My point---who cares. It's just like your first grade teacher always told you- pay attention to yourself, and stop tattling on the kid at the next desk."

Exactly. Thank you. Where I work, I run out for a quick 5 min cig break every two hours. If I don't get it I'm going to be pretty unproductive. 5 mins every 2 hours is the same as...what? Looking out the window a bit? Zoning out a little? I get tired of – and the vid was seemed accurate here haha – sanctimonious baby faced little darlings smugly telling me that they've worked a whole 20 mins longer than me that day. Problem is, even with those 20 mins they've not done as much actual work... Maybe 20 mins of facespace or whatever crap is just as bad, and, more to the point, if your employer measures your worth in minutes at the desk then there's a problem.

I think it depends on whether or not the smokers are leaving their work to be done by the nons. If the smokers are getting their work done, then I agree it's nobody's business. But I got the impression that this was a situation where the smokers are gone for extended periods of time walking back and forth to their smoking spot while everyone else is left picking up the slack. I don't have a problem with smokers, per se. But if the non-smokers are doing considerably more work than the smokers (not talking logging desk time, but measuring actual completed work), then I'd say she has a point. Choosing to smoke is fine, but it doesn't absolve a person of his or her responsibilities.