Lifespan of Pipe Smokers

[orvet]

My grandfather grew up on the ranch near New Pine Creek Oregon. He started smoking when he was 6 years old. He was a heavy smoker and died at age 86. Mostly he smoked cigarettes, but he also smoked a pipe. He died from lung cancer, and I'm sure his doctors would tell anyone who asked that his lung cancer was due to his smoking. What they probably did not know was that for 30 years he managed an orchard where he grew hazelnuts, walnuts and peaches. I can recall going to visit him when he was dusting the trees and he had a little dusk mask that covered his nose. His entire body was covered with yellow dust with the exception of the area around his nose . The the desk mask had a paper filter in it, probably not any better than an N-95 mask. Grandma would tell us kids to get in the house, we can't be outside because Grandpa's dusting and it's really bad for you.

I think that the medical community has certain biases for and against certain things, smoking being one thing they have a biased against. But they seem to have a bias in favor of all kinds of medications, many of which have horrendous side effects.

I once asked one of my customers, who is the stock broker, if he had any good good advice for the stock market? He said, "You pay your money and you take your chances."

I think that same principle holds true with many things in life, from smoking to which medications you will take when prescribed by your doctor.

 

[OverMountain]

My grandfather grew up on the ranch near New Pine Creek Oregon. He started smoking when he was 6 years old. He was a heavy smoker and died at age 86. Mostly he smoked cigarettes, but he also smoked a pipe. He died from lung cancer, and I'm sure his doctors would tell anyone who asked that his lung cancer was due to his smoking. What they probably did not know was that for 30 years he managed an orchard where he grew hazelnuts, walnuts and peaches. I can recall going to visit him when he was dusting the trees and he had a little dusk mask that covered his nose. His entire body was covered with yellow dust with the exception of the area around his nose . The the desk mask had a paper filter in it, probably not any better than an N-95 mask. Grandma would tell us kids to get in the house, we can't be outside because Grandpa's dusting and it's really bad for you.

I think that the medical community has certain biases for and against certain things, smoking being one thing they have a biased against. But they seem to have a bias in favor of all kinds of medications, many of which have horrendous side effects.

I once asked one of my customers, who is the stock broker, if he had any good good advice for the stock market? He said, "You pay your money and you take your chances."

I think that same principle holds true with many things in life, from smoking to which medications you will take when prescribed by your doctor.

When you look at these questions like a regression…lots of different things can add up to the whole. It’s hard to apportion causality when multiple things (or their interactions) can or do cause the end result.

 

[jpmcwjr]

When you look at these questions like a regression…lots of different things can add up to the whole. It’s hard to apportion causality when multiple things (or their interactions) can or do cause the end result.

[my bolding of quote.]

Yes, what I said differently at some point. I'll keep this open for those who want to write of their experiences, but please note this is all anecdotal.

 

[OverMountain]

Doc Chopper had something on here I found useful when considering risk.

Don’t get addicted to nicotine, don’t overdo it. (1 bowl a day), and the risks are likely minor.

I get great satisfaction and relaxation and it is absolutely worth it! The most dangerous thing I do every day is drive to work.

Also if you want to really feel like cause and effect may be an illusion, check out an “INUS condition.”

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy keeping the flame alive.

 

[ravkesef]

81 years old, a pipe smoker since 1959. For those who have trouble with the math, that’s 64 years. I guess pipe smoking really is dangerous. I did smoker Marlboros in my callow youth, but gave that habit up just over 50 years ago. Cold Turkey. But keep in mind that I was smoking my pipe throughout. If you think that pipe smoking helped coming off cigarettes, so that it really wasn’t cold turkey, you’re mistaken, as anyone in my shoes would know. I smoke fewer bowls than I used to—1 or 2 a day, sometimes 3. At this moment I’m smoking a Dr. Bob pipe, and for those who wonder, yes—he really is a doctor—a family practice physician, recently retired, whose hobby for many years has been the crafting of excellent pipes, with a rusticastion method no one has yet been able to duplicate. (See my posts s.v. “What Are You Smoking?” Also—see his website, where pipes for sale are depicted. He’s perfectly willing to enlighten those who want to dive into “the dangers of pipe smoking.” He can quickly set you aright.

Is pipe smoking unhealthy? I’m with those who say that your genes tell a far better story. And yet, if my doctor were to tell me that I have but a small time left to live, and the reason, without a doubt, is my pipe smoking, I would say that It is absolutely worth it—the pleasure I have derived from it has been that good. But then again, there’s the INUS Condition rearing its ugly, but perhaps beautiful head.

So—dear friends, and fellow pipers—puff on! Or better yet, puff off!

 

[jpmcwjr]

This post may be a perfect place to end this speculative thread.

If you have something to add, PM me.