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

For many adults across the United States, stepping outside for “a quick cigarette” isn’t just a habit, it’s a recurring interruption to the workday. A couple of minutes here and there can start to add up, raising questions about productivity and fairness in the workplace. 

We wanted to investigate smoke breaks further and partnered with Censuswide to survey over 2,000 adults who smoke across the country. We looked at which industries have the most frequent smoke breaks and what those breaks may cost businesses, as well as the impact smoking during the workday has on employees and their ability to quit. 

More than half of the people who responded to the survey (57%) said they smoke during work to take a mental break. About 41% of respondents viewed smoke breaks as a chance to change their surroundings for a bit. One in five (19%) of respondents said they take smoke breaks to bond with colleagues who smoke. 

Our survey results suggest that smoking at work makes it harder for people to quit. Over 60% of respondents said that smoking while working is a big reason they find it tough to stop. 

It’s natural to want some relief from the demands of the workplace during the day. Taking breaks from work is important. But the problem is that smoke breaks combine that mental reset, change of scenery, or social interaction with something that’s harmful to both your body and mind,

 Markus Lindblad,

Head of External Affairs at Nicokick

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, that's like getting over 3 weeks off work each year just for smoking.  

From a business perspective, this loss of productivity  can be costly, and it may feel unfair to employees who don’t smoke.

Consider how those hours add up. That’s time that could otherwise be used to stay on top of work or simply keep the day flowing. Some adult nicotine users may consider smoke-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, subject to workplace policies. 

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.

Smoking during work hours may also make quitting more difficult for some people. More than 60% of participants in our survey indicated that the habit of smoking while on the job impacted how much they smoked outside of work hours.  

This pattern suggests that the work environment may influence smoking behaviors, making it more challenging for employees to quit smoking if they’re lighting up during the day. 

The most important thing is that employees are happy and healthy. Part of that may be encouraging people who smoke to try and find other ways to spend their break times—whether it’s a quick walk, a chat with a co-worker, or just stepping outside for some fresh air.  

A better workplace approach would preserve the value of taking breaks while reducing the role cigarettes play in them. For adults who continue to use nicotine, smoke-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches may be one option. 

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