The figure rises to 45% among non-smokers who say smoking colleagues do not work as hard and should have their salaries slashed or be made to work extra time.

Views were even harsher among younger people with nearly half (47%) of 16 to 24-year-olds claiming smokers were lazier and should be paid accordingly.

But only 15% of smokers admit to doing less work than their colleagues.

Cigarette breaks waste time, say non-smokers

Gallup, who surveyed more than 2,000 adults for the Nicorette Workplace Survey, found more than half the respondents thought smokers were a drag on a company's image.

They believe loitering smokers and old dog ends give their workplace a bad impression.

Some 72% say bosses should help smokers kick the habit by providing counselling and education.

But Forest, which promotes equal rights for smokers, believes they should be accommodated at work.

"Smokers are valued members of staff and employers know this," said spokesman Martin Ball.

"The findings are out of step with current management thinking on smoking policies and the accusation that smokers take more breaks is unsubstantiated," he added.

He recommends companies install smoking rooms with telephones and work stations to allow employees to puff and work simultaneously.

Gay Sutherland, clinical psychologist at the National Addiction Centre in London, said bosses should acknowledge that quitting is difficult.