Classic tactic in the military: I wasn't a smoker, but under certain circumstances, I'd carry a pack with me so I could have a "smoke" break. Sometimes people would call me out, so I'd light one up without inhaling until that person left. Then I'd just give the cigarette to an actual smoker.

> It relieves stress and anxiety, and also gives me an excuse to step out of the office for a few minutes for a break or to collect my thoughts.

Should we really need excuses to step out of the office to get some fresh air, collect our thoughts, etc for a few minutes?

I think there is much to be said about cigarettes relieving stress and anxiety...

There does seem to be suspicion around leaving your desk to do “nothing”.

I once worked at a place where a lot of my colleagues would take smoke breaks and thought it was unfair. I loudly started taking gum breaks where I would go outside and smack peppermint gum for 5-10 minutes before throwing it in the trash and going back inside. Sometimes I would head out at the same time as the smokers so that I got to participate in the chitchat (which was unreasonably valuable from a professional perspective), and I would complain about how it wasn’t socially acceptable to chew gum at your desk like in the eighties when everyone did it. It was softly mocking, but no one objected.

As often as it is mocked, this is one of the things I really value in the whole "micro kitchens away from the open-plan office" lies.

Nicotine is a stimulant. I'd argue that stepping out of the office for a few minutes is what relaxes you and reduces your anxiety, not the cigarette. Unless you're a regular smoker when smoking stops withdrawal symptoms. (I'm an ex-20-a-day smoker)

smoking definitely reduces stress when smoking, but it also makes you a more stressful person.

Its like rubbing yourself with poison ivy, just so you can have the relief of itching a scratch

the stress and anxiety relief also works outside the office, otherwise I wouldn't bring it up.

Stepping away from your issues and gaining new perspective can be just as effective as drugs.

Source: performance enhancing cannabis user