Does this annoy you?

If you want a break, go outside with the smokers. You don't have to smoke, just go outside. If anyone questions you, just say you are going outside for a smokeing break If people were still allowed to smoke inside, they wouldn't need to go outside and take so long. 20 minutes does seem like way too long of a break.

I think it has become part of the schedule of the worker. They are allowed now to have a break just to smoke. Yes, it is unfair since non-smokers get to continue doing their jobs while others are given the freedom to have a break just to smoke.

Fortunately, my workplace doesn't allow this. Our breaks are actually scheduled. If you need to smoke, you have to do it during your regular break. I really appreciate that, because it means that people can't smoke as often, so they don't smell so bad while they're working. I used to work with a girl, though, who wanted to split her scheduled 15 minute break into three 5 minute breaks so that she could smoke every hour. Fortunately, the manager of that workplace said "absolutely not." I think that if you're so addicted to smoking that it interferes with your ability to work (or sit through a class, or a movie, or dinner), then you have a serious problem.

In most places, you have designated breaks and that is it. Where I work, we can take a break whenever there is a free moment. Often times there is no time for a break at all for hours and even then it may be only a min. or 2. It should not take 20 mins to smoke a cig. I'd be saying something to the boss.