Take away coffee addicts can be worse for office productivity than smokers. The Sunday Mail reports that with some workers taking six breaks a day to get their hit of caffeine and sunshine, businesses are losing several hours of paid work every day.

With an average coffee break lasting at least 10 minutes compared to a five-minute smoko break, businesses are at risk of losing an hour of productivity per caffeine addict in their office. Popular Brisbane cafe Jamie's Espresso Bar is frequented by local workers wanting to get out of the office.

"Lots of our regulars come in a few times a day - some come half-a-dozen times a day," barista Carmela Ruffino said.

"It's refreshing to come out, you get a walk and it uplifts you," said interior designer Sarah Liquorish, mocha in hand. "All the guys at work will have about three or four coffees today - they get antsy if they don't get one."

Professor Jake Najman, an expert in human addictions, said there are comparisons between the smoko and taking excessive coffee breaks.
"Caffeine is a bit like the old story with tobacco in that there's a social component and a physical component," he said. "There was the old institution of the smoko - groups of workers would smoke together.

"You would be looking at 1-2 cups of coffee a day - once you're getting past that you're starting to develop a level of commitment to it."

But according to workplace and teamwork expert Dr Nicole Gillespie, there's nothing to fear for those of us who only have a few cups a day.

"There's evidence to support the view that having regular breaks can enhance productivity."