I did a long hiatus to support my late wife who quit a multi-pack cigarette habit after many years. I did cigars on business trips, with her approval. As a widower, I bought a new pipe from a carver who sells at our state fair, and especially used this to help get through some medical hard times with my second wife, with her in rehab, etc., when a refreshing beverage wouldn't have helped during those demanding times. Up early, off hours, long commutes at night, etc. I still have my first pipes from decades ago, so there is continuity. At least my experience was entirely voluntary. No one asked me to quit or held anything over my head about it. But it has been a long journey. I keep my pipe smoking extremely moderate. My modest cellar will last me for years. But I share a certain familiarity with this experience. As a footnote, my late wife's shortened life had nothing to do, so far as medical science knows, with her heavy smoking, but was from an unrelated cause.
