OBJECTIVES: Tobacco is the primary cause of preventable death in France (66,000 deaths/Y).  Places of work and business are no exception.The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of smoking and its consequences at work, thereby permitting new data to be obtained which will encourage businesses to take smoking into account. METHODS: In June 2009, the CSASantéInstitute composed a representative sample of the active French population according to the quota method. A total of 1950 people were interviewed. RESULTS: Of the total active population, there is no significant difference according to business size relative to the prevalence of smokers. The relationship between smoking and the number of breaks is linear (1 break for 2.5 cigarettes smoked/day). Smokers are subject to even more criticism (because of their break) by their colleagues and their hierarchy if they are heavy smokers. Smokers of more than 1 pack a day tend to be accompanied for their breaks. Smokers have more disrupted employment than non-smokers or ex-smokers: 14.26% of subjects acknowledge having had their employment disrupted within the past 6 months.The differences noted between the “smokers”, “ex smoker” and “non smoker” populations are statistically significant (P<0.001) with prevalence of disrupted employment respectively of 19%, 15.25% and 11.57% (p<0.01).  It is also noted that the prevalence of smoking during work hours is significantly more important when the hierarchical superior smokes. 64.44% smoke during work hours if the hierarchical superior smokes, vs51.17% if the hierarchical superior does not smoke ( p<0.004) CONCLUSIONS: In a population representative of persons at work on French soil, this study confirms the data collected abroad and in certain businesses in France. Therefore, the justification for taking smoking into account at the work place is reinforced by its health consequences as well as its direct consequences on the work produced.