There is one thing I find amusing in the smoking debate.

I find that a very large percentage of those who are very anti tobacco smoking are highly pro pot smoking. The more virulent anti tobacco stance, seems to be associated with the strongest promotion of cannabis.

I wonder what interesting things may find their way into your mouth occasionally Blue? Oh & mate, that last rant leads one to believe it came from someone rather high on something at the time of writing. Just what have you been smoking, or do the fumes of the local diesel buses effect you that way?

It's not about whether one is pro or anti smoking, it is about the right for individuals to be able to work without having to breath another person's revolting second hand smoke.

Hasbeen I have never yet seen people duck out for a pot break, but many for smokos. I also disagree with your assertion that people who are against passive smoking are pot smokers. What an assertion, where is your evidence.

Why do people take this so personally without thinking about the effects on others. You have a right to smoke, but people around you also have a right not to breathe in the stuff. Exhaust fans (even the desk ones) don't work having experienced this ridiculous attempt to reduce inconvenience to others in the 80s.

Fact is people who take smoko breaks work less than those who don't for the same pay. In any other situation people would be crying out inequality. Why should business have to pay for someone's habits at work. Personally I figure if someone is addicted to nicotine (given it is a legal drug) then a quick puff outside is to nobody's disadvantage, it is only when people abuse the privilege of these breaks that causes a problem.

In the past employees were given a tea-break in the mid-morning and mid afternoon to drink tea, coffee, and have a smoke. It appears that this custom has not been favoured by employers for a variety of reasons, possibly profit could be a driving force. On the other hand,
an employer needs to weigh up the effect that the lack of assigned breaks has on their staff. If the result is that workers especially smokers, end up taking multiple breaks (outside the office) and drinkers of tea and coffee bring it to their desks - is this a better alternative?

The dangers of smoking are well known, yet many take up or continue a medically unsound cultural habit. Similarly, many decline to use car seat belts, even though the practice drastically reduces the chance of death or serious injury in an accident. Many complain about and exceed the speed limit, although it saves lives and prevents severe head injuries. Millions eat themselves into cholesterol-induced heart disease, and still encourage their children to eat junk food. Breaking people's bad habits is not going to work and should not be the responsibility of an employer. All an employer can do is focus on the type of environment that they want to provide for their staff and emphasize the individuals' responsibility for complying with the conditions of their employment.

Good thread individual.
But some, more than half try to take it other places.
Bosses know we all do the reason for the break is to have a short spell ,break the day and hopefully return to work better for it.
Coffee and smoking are part of it for some others do a lot of different things including take insulin for that illness.
Lunch we pay for by working an extra hour or half hour, smoko is free ten or twenty minutes about a fifth of what some bosses spend in long lunches.

Hasbeen.

"I wonder what interesting things may find their way into your mouth occasionally Blue?"

lol well, sometimes Johnny Walker comes over with his best mate Jimmy beam and the two can party very well. As for your smoking weed and me supporting it, now I reverse the question to you.

( Just what have you been smoking, or do the fumes of the local diesel buses effect you that way? :)

Why is it, that when someone has green connections, he/she is all of a sudden, a crazed dope smoking hippy?

I like your stile Hasbeen.....you would look great chained to a tree to save that rain forest:) But Iam afraid Iam not that type of conservationist.

I'll bet right now, you have a "FAG" hanging out of your mouth:)

I was told it was a required taste.

Smoking is just a legal DRUG its self along with alcohol. Funny How these two are the top killers on the planet. You can just see how human-beings just love and protect one n other, cant you.

BLUE

Why is it, that when someone has green connections, he/she is all of a sudden, a crazed dope smoking hippy?
Deep-Blue,
I suppose what's meant by that is, that to be a conservationist you don't need to be green. You just care. To be green means (mostly) to pretend you care but really don't stop living the consumer way. I don't see too many greens trying to reduce their carbon footprints by not flying, driving cars, using fridges & electricity etc. I would be very interested if someone could produce the values of the footprint of the Kopenhagen conference.