Smoking the Competition

Dude. Remember college, how you were all like hanging outside smoking between classes and at the bar and stuff? Totally social, right? Back in the day, everyone smoked, even in their offices (watch an episode of Mad Men if you don't believe us.) Today, though, we know too much about the ill-effects of secondhand smoke to even consider that an option. So now that you've started a new job, you might want to think twice about lighting up, even if it means you can't hang outside with the "cool" kids. Turns out that smoking can have a negative impact on your career.

Some managers see smoking as a sign of weakness (not to mention that those hourly breaks for a nic fix really kill productivity.) Plus, there's the smell factor. Since most of us are working side by side in cubicles or open work spaces, there's no way to keep the fumes emanating from your clothing and hair away from the masses. And, if your boss is a vehement anti-smoker or just a general health nut, your habit certainly won't win you any brownie points.

Tell us what you think. If you're a smoker, are cigarettes holding you back at work? If you don't smoke, how do you percieve your co-workers who do? [US News and World Report]

P.S. If this post has you thinking about stopping for good, check out our quitting smoking tips now. Why not start  (er...stop) today?