In other words, delayed compensation attenuated the positive effects of the high-powered incentives.

FORBES: The Problem With Incentives

The tax rate after adjusting for tax effects from stock-based compensation and restructuring looks to be 10.5%.

FORBES: Google: Lower Tax Rate Materially Helped EPS. EPS Would Have Missed While Revenue Was Strong.

"In the event of claims for compensation for health damage, employers will be expected by the courts to know of the health effects of exposing employees and others to second-hand smoke and to take reasonable steps to eliminate it, " he said.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Legal threat over passive smoking