Tobacco.org

Smokers fume over hidden cost for a smoke break  

Belgian authorities are clamping down on civil servants who nip out of the office for a smoke break.

18-thousand staff who work for the French-speaking Walloon regional government have been told to clock out when they pop out, and the time will be docked from their working day.

Smokers are fuming.

One employee said: 'It's never been demonstrated that there was a big productivity difference between a smoker and a non-smoker. I don't think that's what counts, a conscientious worker, even if he is away 5 or 10 minutes to smoke, will make sure his job is done by the end of the day. I'd say it's a little insignificant.'

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