Taking a Break: Smoking Employees Gain Over 3 Weeks of Paid Time Off Through Smoke Breaks


A lot of people in the United States use smoking as a way to take a break from work. A big study that surveyed over 2,000 people all over the country found out some interesting things about smoking and work breaks.

 

 

More than half of the people that answered the survey (57%) said they smoke during work to take a mental break. About 41% of the participants think of it as a chance to change their surroundings for a bit. But there's a catch – smoking at work makes it harder for people to quit. Over 60% of the folks in the study said that smoking while working is a big reason they find it tough to stop.

 

"Working in a place that makes you stressed all day makes you want to find some relief. Taking breaks from work is important. But the problem is that smoking is harmful to both your body and mind," says Markus Lindblad, Head of External Affairs at Nicokick.

Graph 1: Why do employees say they take smoke breaks? Graph 1: Why do employees say they take smoke breaks?

Almost 5 breaks per person on average

On average, people who smoke take about 4.6 breaks every day, and each break lasts around 7.2 minutes. In total, it's like getting over three weeks off work just for smoke breaks each year. The loss of hours added to businesses attempting to get back onto their feet post-pandemic only further highlights the necessity of encouraging employees to use their breaks more effectively.

Graph 2: How much do smoke breaks cost a business? Graph 2: How much do smoke breaks cost a business?

Smoking in different industries

The study also looked at in which industries smoking at work is most common. 

 

  • Travel & Transport are at the top with an average of 5,43 breaks per person per day.
  • People working with HR are second with 4,83 breaks per person every day.
  • Sales, Media & Marketing are third with 4,69 breaks per day.
  • Close behind are IT & Telecoms with 4,68 breaks per day.

 

At some companies, the minutes taken from smoking breaks is a part of the workday, and at other companies it is not.

 

"The most important thing is that employees are happy and healthy. Try to find healthier ways to spend those break times. Whether it’s a quick walk, a chat with a co-worker, or just stepping outside for some fresh air. Another solution is to switch from smoking to alternative products such as nicotine pouches. Finding better habits could make a big difference at work and beyond," Lindblad added.

 

Smoking during work hours significantly increases the difficulty of quitting for many individuals. More than 60% of participants in the survey indicated that the habit of smoking while on the job is a major factor contributing to the challenges they face in attempting to cease this habit. This pattern suggests that the work environment plays a crucial role in smoking behaviors, making it more challenging for employees to break free from nicotine addiction.

Graph 3: How difficult does smoking during work hours make quitting? Graph 3: How difficult does smoking during work hours make quitting?