The Prime Minister said in Parliament that the number of public service employees amounts to 3,954, (May 22). Now, assuming that 1,500 (definitely more) of the staff are smokers, these have to leave their office, or any enclosed roofed area, to indulge in their "puffing stances".

This means leaving their work site and causing a disruption of duty.

It is quite normal to see a number of employees assembled outside their office or any inner open space, throughout the day, enjoying a cigarette to their hearts' delight, even if someone is kept waiting to be "served".

However, the outcome is in no way delightful when considering the number of man-hours that go up in smoke every day to the detriment of the daily output as well as the taxpayer.

This wastage in relation to the aforesaid number of smokers is no joke as it amounts to a daily loss of approximately 625 man-hours when working out a rather conservative calculation of only five cigarettes a day.

The relative figures in relation to the national workforce surely burn one's fingers.

However, although all have eyes to see, these evident shortcomings are given the Nelson's Eye.

For example, one is sanctioned if one is caught throwing away a cigarette butt, however, no one has yet been identified in connection with the innumerable butts strewn about the main entrances of workplaces.