I wonder to what degree the decrease in smoking rates is caused by education and health awareness and to what degree the decrease in smoking rates is caused by making it inconvenient and socially discouraged to be a smoker.
I suspect smoking, like any hobby, has a social component and making it a PITA will push people to chat at the espresso machine or gluten free granola bar dispenser instead.
push people to chat at the espresso machine or gluten free granola bar dispenser instead
The difference is that there is no reason for me to hang around the espresso machine while drinking my espresso and also my office has something like 3 espresso machines on each floor, while all the smokers go to the same spot, so it unlikely that I'll use the same espresso machine as the CEO. And even if I do he has no reason hang around and talk to me. Being 'forced' to stand outside in the cold for 5-10 minutes several times a day causes a different bonding experience,