I know it's been a while since somebody posted on this thread, but here goes.

People, I feel, underestimate the 'networking' aspect of the designated smoker's area. I used to get to know other people from around the company that I might not ordinarily meet. Many a time that I've got an IT problem sorted quickly by simply knowing a fellow smoker from IT. Even a cock up in one of my team's wages was resolved without the need for email tennis.

8 years after quitting I still go for a virtual fag, and as an aside to the above, it's good to take short breaks every 1-2 hours. Something which is positively encouraged in my analyst role.

BEnd.