Should I take fake smoking breaks?

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I don't smoke and I don't plan to. I still have the need for a lot of breaks. Taking smoking breaks is socially acceptable, but taking ADHD breaks isn't. I've heard that if you buy one pack of cigarettes and take a walk with them no one will notice you're not smoking. Maybe I can ask my smoking friends to give me their old pack of cigarettes and I can fill them up with fake cigarettes. Maybe I can start vaping without nicotine.

Everywhere I've worked, a certain amount of break-taking is acceptable for everyone; it's not like smokers get more breaks. Smokers simply use all of theirs for smoking because they have to. Unless I'm burrowed into something, I get up, walk around the building or use the restroom once an hour or so. I've never smoked & it's never been a problem with any employer. The key is just to be a productive worker otherwise so they can't complain that breaks are interfering with work.

Some years ago, i was smoking and i suddenly decided to stop smoking, but didn't tell anybody.

At work, we were used to call each other (the smokers) for a "cigarette-break" together.

That day, they called me, i came, but i didn't smoke, they smoke each 2 cigarettes.

I did two "cigarette-breaks", without smoking, just talking, without them noticing that i was NOT SMOKING!


So this proves you can do "cigarette-break" without smoking, no problem

I also have faked cigarette breaks when I quit. I really didn't fake it, I just went outside. I didn't feel the need to justify it because if it was fine when I did smoke it must be fine when I do not. I was never questioned but would debate that up to and including my termination if I had to.

I've always thought it unfair that smokers get to take breaks without question most of the time, but non-smokers do not. I've worked several jobs where this is true.

I'd just take as many breaks as the smokers do anyway. That's discrimination if you aren't allowed.

Also if you are officially diagnosed ADHD, you can request reasonable accommodations that include more frequent breaks. (Just saw you are in Canada, I'm not sure what the labor laws are there in regards to reasonable accommodations)

Fake smoking breaks with smokers will still force you to breathe in their smoke. I guess it's only fair: they may be sacrificing their own lungs, but they do it for the noble goal of screwing yours a bit, too.

You would look ridiculous if someone found out you weren't actually smoking.

Cigarettes are expensive! About 12 bucks a pack in NYC. I wouldn't spend 12 bucks on something which would be a prop. That doesn't make sense.

Just say you enjoy the smokers' conversation.

Not to mention all the second-hand smoke you're breathing in when you hang out with the smokers while they smoke.

I wouldn't fake anything. If those who smoke (an unhealthy, unnecessary habit) get to take breaks because they choose to smoke, then you should have the right to take breaks just as often as they do.

I used to get mad that all the smokers where I worked used to get to take breaks all the time, while I did not.

Noöne should have the right to take any breaks other than the ones their employer decides they can (or must) take. Don't like it, don't work for them. They don't have to hire you, and they're entitled to their favorite prejudices, like everyone else.

Besides, it's only fair that smokers get more breaks: they're paying for them with their lungs, while you want them for free

I used to have a job where there was a scheduled "smoke break" every two hours. I'd tag along, stand upwind of the group, and enjoy a little fresh air. I couldn't help pointing out that we were stepping outside for completely opposite reasons.

Thats actually a really good idea, i approve

Almost no one at my work smokes (it's not allowed anywhere near there anyway), but we all takes breaks whenever we want. You really have to, especially in an office job. Sitting for long periods is bad for you, and the break increases your productivity.

Please don't even start smoking, and avoid secondary smoke from your collegues. Nicotine is highly addictive and harmful, it might become a real problem to quit (I barely did that thanks to special vaping kit).