Smoking a Pipe: Hobby or Life Choice

[rcstan]

It has to be both. It is for me. Smoked cigs for almost 20 years. Originally I moved to pipes to kick the addiction to cigs ( not nicotine itself, but the other crap they mix in the baccy ). And I was curious about a pipe. Took me about 6 months to completely switch to pipe. I'm proud to say it's been since last summer that I "wanted" a cig. I can go without the nicotine just fine. As others said here, when I smoke I relax, reflect and recollect and dream about things past and things to come.

Since I want to be very knowledgeable about everything I do, I've researched the pipe smoking .... pipes, tobacco, accesories, techniques .... learned a few things and still a lot to learn .... so it's a hobby as well.
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[peteguy]

Hobby here. I like finding a pipe that is undervalued, usually from poor care. I also enjoy finding aged tins.

 

[captainbob]

For me, it is both a choice and a hobby. Not an addiction as I do not inhale and can skip the pipe when necessary. I created three blends with the help of C&D. I made a five decade study of tobacco and experimentation with blending tobacco's. C&D (Craig Tarler) liked my idea for a blend and we worked on it together for two and a half years. The rest is history. Anything you do that occupies a great deal of your time (in pleasure) I think is a hobby. In my case, it is not an avocation. I do not receive remuneration for the sale of my blends because that is the way I want it. I am just enjoying and giving-back. So, that makes it even more of a hobby, I guess.

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[rigmedic1]

Lifestyle choice. I chose pipes because I enjoyed the taste and the "permanence" of a pipe, as opposed to the flavorless destruction of cigarettes. I was never exposed to a really good cigar until 7 years ago, about the time I got into serious pipe collecting as well. The pipe collecting and sampling of all these different tobaccos has become a hobby for me, but I would stay with a pipe if all I had was one pipe and one tobacco choice. Been piping for almost 36 years now.

 

[tiltjlp]

Well, I've smoked a pipe now for 53 years, so I think it might be a way of life for me.

 

[bassem]

I have been a Pipe smoker for the past 35 years. I enjoy smoking a pipe alone or with friends. I am a pipe and tobacco collector also. Smoking a pipe is a ritual for me. I have to be in a special mood to enjoy it. Its a form of relaxation and contemplation. If I am stressed I stay away of my pipes and look forward to coming back home to enjoy a smoke. Having said that, it is more of a lifestyle than an addiction.

My favorite smoke of the day is early morning when I wake up with my coffee and the choice of tobacco depends totally on the time of day together with the mood.

 

[tokerpipes]

I smoke because I have a need for Nicotine.
I smoke a pipe because its what my dad did.
I defy the odds because thats what every one thinks I shouldn't do.
And for what I do, PISS OFF. The wife and kids are not a hobby, but what I do with them could be.

 

[martin]

You're all thinking too hard dudes, for me its like, well its a way of life man.

 

[bobby46]

Just an alternate terminology:
Pipe smoking = indulgence

Insert your own rationale: Source of pleasure, family tradition, historical significance, or a span between "diversion" all the way to psychological crutch. Individual introspection is the only way to determine why people do what they do.

 

[salewis]

I put down my pipes all the time as I travel to see my kids and grandchildren around the country. I have been smoking a pipe for over 30 years. However, since I don't need to smoke as demonstrated by my "down" time for me pipe smoking, collecting and learning about the history of some pipe brands is for me definately a hobby and a like choice since I enjoy pipe smoking but don't "need" to smoke and have never smoked anything but a pipe.