I was a pack to pack and a half smoker for 24 years. Started when I was 13, and finally gave them up in July for the pipe, along with some cigars. I'm still addicted to nicotine, but not only do I get enough from the pipe to satisfy me, I also have noticed my addiction "softening" around the pipe. For example I can go longer periods without nicotine, and aside from when I first wake up in the morning, I rarely find myself experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. I start each day by smoking a high-nicotine blend like GHC Dark Flake or HH Bold Kentucky, and after that, I tend to smoke 3-6 more bowls throughout the day depending on what's going on.
Nicotine addiction is a pretty pernicious thing in my experience. The withdrawal symptoms are nowhere near as severe as opiate withdrawal (which makes you want to die) or alcohol/benzos (which can actually kill you.) Yet, despite negative consequences, and attempts to quit, I haven't been able to. So there's definitely something there that makes it very difficult for people to kick. That's why the people who study this stuff rank nicotine as among the more addictive drugs. At this point, I enjoy the pipe, and feel the harm is quite a bit less than cigarettes, so I'm comfortable with myself right now.
If I was nicotine free for 3 years and felt good about how my life was going, I would be wary of exposing myself to the stuff. That said, will a bowl or two a day turn you into a cigarette smoker again? I'd bet no, not in and of itself. You have to know yourself. Are you truly interested in pipe smoking? Or are you looking for an excuse/path to start smoking cigs again? If so, you might find yourself smoking cigarettes before you know it. I don't mean to suggest anything, but these are the questions and concerns I'd have for myself if I were in your position.
Good luck with whatever you decide, and welcome!