The Tobbacolypse: Would it Affect You at All?

[mikethompson]

Ever since I joined there has been many prophesies of an upcoming 'tobbacolypse', which ranges from pipe tobacco being taxed into oblivion, deeming regulations ending certain blends, or sometimes banning tobacco altogether. For the sake of conversation, say it does happen. Does your life really change?

I hardly smoke my pipes, and I have plenty stored away. I would say that the effect on me would be minimal really.

Is anyone in the same boat? Or are there members genuinely concerned about how this would affect them personally?

 

[karam]

I'm concerned for sure, been left without decent pipe tobacco apart from one local company (Wolfway) back when Dunhill stopped production, and Danish and English shops stopped sending to Greece.

I got enough to last me a couple of years with careful - stingy - smoking of 1-2 bowls per day, but I want to have enough to be free to dip as much as often as I like.

 

[Casual]

The apocalypse wouldn’t change much, because I heeded the advice to stock up relative to my needs.

Also, since I’m a filthy casual (meaning a low level of commitment), I can simply smoke less as a means of extending my supply. At worst, I’ll just stop. It won’t change that much about my day.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Ever since I joined there has been many prophesies of an upcoming 'tobbacolypse', which ranges from pipe tobacco being taxed into oblivion, deeming regulations ending certain blends, or sometimes banning tobacco altogether. For the sake of conversation, say it does happen. Does your life really change?

I hardly smoke my pipes, and I have plenty stored away. I would say that the effect on me would be minimal really.

Is anyone in the same boat? Or are there members genuinely concerned about how this would affect them personally?

A few years ago I would've been concerned but not anymore. Over the past 4 years I've forgone many pipe purchases to acquire tobacco instead. My cellar is pretty much finished (famous last words?) apart from topping up on UK blends.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does your life really change?

Not at all. I'm set for 50+ years.

 

[kg.legat0]

If this happened tomorrow, hypothetically, I would have a good 2-3 years of supply handy -during that time, I personally would figure out how to grow/process/cure/press homegrown tobacco. I really like simple, stoved Virginias and think I could eventually produce something 'smokeable'.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Not at all. I'm set for 50+ years.

Reminds me of the 1980's when people started hoarding food. A friend said, they'll just come to your house, knock you on the head, and take your food.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I'll live.

 

[mikethompson]

Reminds me of the 1980's when people started hoarding food. A friend said, they'll just come to your house, knock you on the head, and take your food.

Only if you advertise you have a hoard. Like me with my supply of cotton balls, no one knows about it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have a fifty year supply smoking 5 to 6 bowls per day. I'm 64 so I think I'm good.

 

[Casual]

I have a fifty year supply smoking 5 to 6 bowls per day. I'm 64 so I think I'm good.

When you’re 105, a scientist invents a stem cell therapy that gives a person fifty more healthy years of lifespan.

But they’ve fully banned tobacco products of all sorts by then. The public is so cowed that children narc on their parents.

Do you take the therapy? Hmmmmm.

 

[haparnold]

I should be good. I don’t smoke a lot, and I could alter consumption to fit my stash.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

When you’re 105, a scientist invents a stem cell therapy that gives a person fifty more healthy years of lifespan.

But they’ve fully banned tobacco products of all sorts by then. The public is so cowed that children narc on their parents.

Do you take the therapy? Hmmmmm.

I take the therapy and start growing my own.

 

[STP]

I don’t think that anybody wants anything that they enjoy to being taxed into oblivion or band. Will I survive? Yes. Will I bitch and moan? Probably, but I’m usually in the “cross that bridge when I get to it” camp. So, I’m not sweat’n it

 

[ashdigger]

I’m all set, but had I not been a forum member years ago I’d be rich and not set.

 

[troutface]

I'm 59 and have a 50+ year supply too, so no worries here. Still buy occasionally if something really browns my butter, but that's rare.

 

[Casual]

Another thought: as the number of pipe smokers dwindles, and the number buying ten times more than they smoke dwindles even more sharply, what happens to the pipe tobacco market?

 

[shanez]

I've got more in my cellar than I'll be able to smoke in my lifetime so I'm not worried.

Still, I could use another box of GH&C Louisiana Flake. And maybe more GH&C Scotch Flake. Or maybe multiple boxes of each...

Yeah, so, the tobaccopocalypse really isn't an issue. I just have a problem with TAD.

 

[mso489]

In terms of supply, given that I could slow down to several bowls a week or none, I think i'm set in that respect. However, part of the pleasure of pipe smoking is the never-ending introduction of blends, and I think the scaling back or elimination of that would certainly change the activity. Would it still be "fun," worth discussing? I can see a lot of the emotional energy being taken out of it. But I can also see enjoying my stash and not worrying about it.

 

[Grangerous]

I have enough Granger to enjoy one average sized bowl per day for 10.3 years.

Granger could go the way of Prince Albert at any time. So, I’d need twice as much to feel comfy.

The math: 170 bowls per 12 ounce tub multiplied by 22 tubs is 3,740 bowls —- divided by 365 days per year equates to 10.24 years.

I dread the day this blend goes tits up.