Number Of Traditional Pipe Smokers In US, Canada and Europe

[Mike N]

Recently on YouTube, a Canadian vlogger (Brian of Pipe_Currency) living in Europe questioned an estimate by another YouTuber that there were only 400 traditional pipe smokers in Canada. So, I did an AI search and found these numbers, for what they’re worth:

1.) Citing a CDC study, this came up: There were approximately 2.6 million traditional pipe smokers in the U.S. in 2020, representing about 1.1% of the population, though this figure varies by demographics and data source.Prevalence is higher among older men and in the Midwest, and while overall usage has declined since the 1960s, there has been a recent interest in pipe smoking among young adults.

2.) In Canada their CDC equivalent estimated there were 93,000 traditional pipe smokers.

3,) I could not find a number for traditional pipe smokers in Europe but found this interesting article: Industry Pipe Tobacco – ESTA - https://www.esta.be/pipe-tobacco/

4.) Two of the biggest eBay sellers who focus mainly pipes, Deadman’s Pipes and PipeStud, each have about 4,300 followers.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Interesting!

 

[fireground_piper]

I could see the #1 and #2 figures being fairly accurate.

Whoever suggested there's only 400 is either intentionally pulling numbers out of their ass, or has cognitive disabilities.

 

[PaulRVA]

In my travels Germany, Bosnia and Israel seemed to have the most from my observations while there.
I did see a couple in Seoul South Korea and Jakarta and Bali Indonesia that were locals and obvious Codgers.
I never observed any in Central America, South America, Canada or the Caribbean. I honestly wonder if a lot of the numbers are just dabblers and based on sales and don’t really account for actual dedicated smokers ? Im betting it’s just a couple hundred per state in the US as I rarely see one a year here in Virginia including DC Metro and Tidewater.

 

[Searock Fan]

I think the reason you see more pipe smokers overseas than here is simple. Most other countries are more tolerant of public pipe smoking than the U.S.. As for Latin America, it's a cultural thing. They are more into cigars and cigarettes.

 

[fireground_piper]

There's a few articles that suggest Missouri Meerschaum still make somewhere around 3,000-3,500 pipes per day/600K-800K pipes per year.

A couple thousand people aren't supporting that.

 

[seanv]

I think most pipe smokers enjoy smoking away from the general public or use the pipe as a tool to enjoy smoking rather than burning a cigarette. I meet plenty of pipe smokers at the local b&m but rarely see one out and about.

 

[CurlingWisps]

It’s pretty much a dead hobby here in the UK, I’ve never even clapped eyes on another pipe smoker!

 

[Briar Lee]

One good thing about pipe smokers is like farmers, we have a good, wholesome image.



The public thinks of us as smart, gentle, well to do geezers.

For some reason.

Look at Hollywood movies.

If they want the lead to be professorial they stick a pipe between his teeth.

We have influence way above and beyond our numbers.

 

[JOHN72]

Yes, I agree with CurlingWhisps. Europe has replaced authenticity and tradition with TikTok and anti-anxiety medication.

 

[Mike N]

I think the reason you see more pipe smokers overseas than here is simple. Most other countries are more tolerant of public pipe smoking than the U.S.. As for Latin America, it's a cultural thing. They are more into cigars and cigarettes.

Yes, when I was in an open air cafe in Italy I was hesitant to light a post-lunch pipe…until the young couple sitting next to me both fired up a cigarette.

 

[Mike N]

In my travels Germany, Bosnia and Israel seemed to have the most from my observations while there.
I did see a couple in Seoul South Korea and Jakarta and Bali Indonesia that were locals and obvious Codgers.
I never observed any in Central America, South America, Canada or the Caribbean. I honestly wonder if a lot of the numbers are just dabblers and based on sales and don’t really account for actual dedicated smokers ? Im betting it’s just a couple hundred per state in the US as I rarely see one a year here in Virginia including DC Metro and Tidewater.

Paul, I share that concern and even though I used the phrase “traditional pipe smoker” in my search, I wondered if the U.S. numbers included vape pipes and hookahs.

 

[Mike N]

One good thing about pipe smokers is like farmers, we have a good, wholesome image.

View attachment 413161View attachment 413162View attachment 413163

The public thinks of us as smart, gentle, well to do geezers.

For some reason.

Look at Hollywood movies.

If they want the lead to be professorial they stick a pipe between his teeth.

We have influence way above and beyond our numbers.

As I kid, I loved Leave it to Beaver, and Hugh Beaumont as Ward Cleaver.(Eddie Haskell not so much.)

 

[PaulRVA]

Paul, I share that concern and even though I used the phrase “traditional pipe smoker” in my search, I wondered if the U.S. numbers included vape pipes and hookahs.

That’s my thought process as well.
Not too many Cary Grants or Jimmy Stewart’s walking around these days. Occasionally I’ll bump into a hipster type with a pipe roll and wonder if they’ll actually stick with it or just trying to be Avant Garde and the intrigue will wear off. While I’ve smoked thousands of Cigars over 35 or more years they’re different than pipes and draw a different crowd as well. I’ve also seen that ebb and flow several times while pipes have kind of stayed consistently low and maintained a certain level since the late 1980’s.
At least that’s my observation from the South West and Gulf States through the Mid-Atlantic Region.

 

[FLDRD]

In my travels Germany, Bosnia and Israel seemed to have the most from my observations while there.
I did see a couple in Seoul South Korea and Jakarta and Bali Indonesia that were locals and obvious Codgers.
I never observed any in Central America, South America, Canada or the Caribbean. I honestly wonder if a lot of the numbers are just dabblers and based on sales and don’t really account for actual dedicated smokers ? Im betting it’s just a couple hundred per state in the US as I rarely see one a year here in Virginia including DC Metro and Tidewater.

99.99% of my pipe smoking is done at home, alone. If I bump into 10, 100, or 1,000 people during a week while I'm out and about - NONE of them would know I enjoy a pipe.
I can't speak for others, but my suspicion is that "most" of us enjoy this activity while alone.
That's where I think the true numbers are.

 

[PaulRVA]

99.99% of my pipe smoking is done at home, alone. If I bump into 10, 100, or 1,000 people during a week while I'm out and about - NONE of them would know I enjoy a pipe.
I can't speak for others, but my suspicion is that "most" of us enjoy this activity while alone.
That's where I think the true numbers are.

I hope you’re right!
I also fear that the lack of traditional Brick and Mortar retail compared to 30 years ago is a tell tale sign.
If I try and pick up a tin here in Virginia there are only a select handful of true Tobacconist's where that can be done without climbing over bong supplies, vape juice and one hitters.

 

[FLDRD]

We have one B&M for a city of 90K, with surrounding areas that might push it to 150,000 people, tops.
Lots of "smoke shops", but that's not the same thing.

 

[PaulRVA]

We have one B&M for a city of 90K, with surrounding areas that might push it to 150,000 people, tops.
Lots of "smoke shops", but that's not the same thing.

We no longer have anything in the Richmond Metro. Cigars shops with a few random tins and basket level pipes are the best you’ll come across. To get to a true Pipe B&M involves a trip to Georgetown / DC 2 hrs, Roanoke 3hrs or Philly 5 hrs or South to Charlotte NC.
The Historic shops of just a few decades ago in places like Baltimore, Atlanta etc are gone.

 

[bersekero]

A lot of companies, big and small, that make pipes or pipe tobacco are still around, and that says something. Of course, quite a few have shut down or been bought out by others.

 

[BingBong]

3,) I could not find a number for traditional pipe smokers in Europe but found this interesting article: Industry Pipe Tobacco – ESTA - https://www.esta.be/pipe-tobacco/

Then we get to the pictures. "Flake: <pic of roll cut>" d'oh