# No smoking anywhere on a large corporate campus **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 9, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209 "2017-05-09T18:04:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/61 "2017-05-11T19:17:01Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > I find it impossible to believe that people smell like smoke when they are done smoking Yes, they do. I’m a smoker who used to smoke, at my peak, two packs a day. These days, I’ll smoke maybe a pack in a year. Some years none; some years maybe two or three packs if I someone dies and I’m stressed. But that shit really does reek and you can tell after a cigarette. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/62 "2017-05-11T19:30:06Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > It’s really not strange to you that a company wants to limit the use of recreational drugs at work So are you for the banning of drinks containing caffeine at work as well? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/63 "2017-05-11T19:49:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So are you for the banning of drinks containing caffeine at work as well? Coffee doesnt kill 50000 “second hand drinkers” a year. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/64 "2017-05-11T19:56:29Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Coffee doesnt kill 50000 “second hand drinkers” a year. Maybe not, but luckily that’s not what I was responding to. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/65 "2017-05-11T20:00:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So are you for the banning of drinks containing caffeine at work as well? It’s interesting how “I don’t understand why people get outraged if a company bans recreational drugs in the workplace” turns into ‘so are you for the banning of…’. And I’m fine with a company banning caffeine if they want to (which is not “for” in the usual since, just "not opposed, and especially “not outraged”). It seems to be a very bad idea cost-benefit wise though, since there’s no second-hand caffeine, no need for special infrastructure to handle it (smokers need ashtrays and someone to come by and empty them), is widely socially accepted, has positive effect on productivity instead of negative, and so on. If a company did decide that it wanted to be caffeine free in spite of this, I wouldn’t get outraged at the concept of them not wanting people to use caffeine at work, any more than I do at them not wanting people to smoke tobacco or pot at work or on work grounds. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/66 "2017-05-11T20:17:05Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > If a company did decide that it wanted to be caffeine free in spite of this, I wouldn’t get outraged at the concept of them not wanting people to use caffeine at work, any more than I do at them not wanting people to smoke tobacco or pot at work or on work grounds. I would get outraged if a company banned caffeine. I’m not outraged if a company banned smoking or pot, due to the health risks as previously mentioned. I think it sucks to not have a smoking area way far away, but whatever, their property their rules. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/67 "2017-05-11T21:51:32Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So are you for the banning of drinks containing caffeine at work as well? I’d think it’s a bit weird, but why not? I suspect they may have trouble getting employees to join up, but, philosophically, I don’t think it’s any worse than telling employees they can’t have a beer on the job. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/68 "2017-05-11T22:00:07Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > It’s interesting how “I don’t understand why people get outraged if a company bans recreational drugs in the workplace” turns into ‘so are you for the banning of…’. And I’m fine with a company banning caffeine if they want to (which is not “for” in the usual since, just "not opposed, and especially “not outraged”). It seems to be a very bad idea cost-benefit wise though, since there’s no second-hand caffeine, no need for special infrastructure to handle it (smokers need ashtrays and someone to come by and empty them), is widely socially accepted, has positive effect on productivity instead of negative, and so on. If a company did decide that it wanted to be caffeine free in spite of this, I wouldn’t get outraged at the concept of them not wanting people to use caffeine at work, any more than I do at them not wanting people to smoke tobacco or pot at work or on work grounds. Recreational drug? Seriously? :dubious: There are valid arguments to be made about the ill effects of secondhand smoke. But calling tobacco a “recreational drug” is just fucking retarded. I suspect the real reason for your choice of words is to imply smokers are inferior human beings. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/69 "2017-05-11T22:06:59Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I suspect the real reason for your choice of words is to imply smokers are inferior human beings. No, sadly they are just addicts. Most of them in denial. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/70 "2017-05-11T22:20:28Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I was traveling for work to another company, and this company’s headquarters is a very large campus. Like many companies now, they have a no smoking policy. But it extends not just in their building but anywhere on their campus. If an employee or a visitor wishes to take a smoke break, they would need to walk or drive their car off the campus, which is at least a quarter mile from the building to be able to light-up. > > My colleague at the company said they initiated this policy about 20 years ago, and offer smoking cessation programs paid for by the company to their employees (about 3,000 on site). The company is also self insured for employer provided health insurance and they have seen their claims history on a downward trend over the past several decades. > > All new hires are advised of the policy when they are offered employment. > > Fair or unfair? Quite fair. Kudos to them for implementing it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/71 "2017-05-11T22:27:39Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Recreational drug? In what sense is it not a recreational drug? I mean, I’m fine with smoking and smokers and partake myself very occasionally these days. I’m not an anti-smoking zealot by any stretch of the imagination. People can smoke on my property. But of course tobacco is a recreational drug. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/72 "2017-05-11T22:53:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > In what sense is it not a recreational drug? I mean, I’m fine with smoking and smokers and partake myself very occasionally these days. I’m not an anti-smoking zealot by any stretch of the imagination. People can smoke on my property. But of course tobacco is a recreational drug. Filling your lungs with hot burning gas doesn’t strike me as recreational. My cite: Sitting around campfires. And bonfires. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/73 "2017-05-11T22:58:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > In what sense is it not a recreational drug? I mean, I’m fine with smoking and smokers and partake myself very occasionally these days. I’m not an anti-smoking zealot by any stretch of the imagination. People can smoke on my property. But of course tobacco is a recreational drug. It’s a mild stimulant in the same way caffeine is. It doesn’t impair one’s judgement or alter one’s mind in the same way alcohol, cocaine, heroine, etc, does. If I can take said drug and still be as adept as I was OFF the drug, then it’s not a recreational drug. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/74 "2017-05-11T23:03:43Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > It’s a mild stimulant in the same way caffeine is. It doesn’t impair one’s judgement or alter one’s mind in the same way alcohol, cocaine, heroine, etc, does. > > If I can take said drug and still be as adept as I was OFF the drug, then it’s not a recreational drug. A single beer doesn’t affect my judgement, either. It’s a mild sedative. In fact, I think one beer usually improves my performance slightly, depending on the situation and my mood. It’s a “mild depressant,” right? They’re all recreational drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/75 "2017-05-11T23:27:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > A single beer doesn’t affect my judgement, either. It’s a mild sedative. In fact, I think one beer usually improves my performance slightly, depending on the situation and my mood. It’s a “mild depressant,” right? > > They’re all recreational drugs. Sure, but I can smoke 10 cigarettes and still be fine to drive. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/76 "2017-05-11T23:28:45Z")
Nobody is going to tell me I can’t smoke in my _own_ damn car. My car is sovereign territory. Smokers, I frequently say, are the last minority group against whom discrimination is still socially acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/77 "2017-05-11T23:38:57Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Nobody is going to tell me I can’t smoke in my _own_ damn car. My car is sovereign territory. > > Smokers, I frequently say, are the last minority group against whom discrimination is still socially acceptable. If you strangle someone in the backseat, the cops will have no problem arresting you. If you’re parked on private property, they get to control what you do and what you have. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/78 "2017-05-11T23:41:05Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Sure, but I can smoke 10 cigarettes and still be fine to drive. I don’t see how that makes any difference as to whether it’s a recreational drug or not. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/79 "2017-05-12T00:02:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t see how that makes any difference as to whether it’s a recreational drug or not. Well, I guess we have a difference of opinion on what constitutes a recreational drug. To me, recreational drugs helps one escape the tedium of reality. I infer from your posts any superfluous stimulant is a recreational drug. That’s a little broad for my definition. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209/80 "2017-05-12T00:05:25Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > To me, recreational drugs helps one escape the tedium of reality. That’s kind of how I use cigarettes and alcohol, so, yes, we have different definitions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-smoking-anywhere-on-a-large-corporate-campus/786209.md?page=5)