The Only Valid Reason To Smoke

[workman]

...Is that you want to.
Threads pop up from time to time about how relaxing it is to smoke, or how you can only really think while you are smoking or something like that.
None of that is true, not for me, not for anyone.
For me, the most relaxing thing to do is to occupy my mind with something other than myself, like a book, and keep that focus for a while without stimulants. That's relaxing. Falling asleep while doing so is often a welcome byproduct.
Smoking can be done while relaxing, but it isn't relaxing in itself. Smoking is an indulgence, unhealthy, no doubt, costly as well, and in my case, anti-social, with whatever strain that may put on relations to close ones.
The only true argument I can up with as to why I should smoke is that I want to.
I like it. I like my pipes, I like the flavors of my tobaccos and I like the excitement of exploring blends and reevaluating my opinions on tried blends. I like to read about other peoples' experiences with smoking and other stuff like that, but most of all, I like smoking. I love it.
So I smoke. I try to do it without annoying other people, I don't show off, or try to advocate it in anyway. I smoke because I like it and that is all.

 

[Elric]

But one must put some structure around it or one ends up just a common nicotine junkie. For myself, I only smoke on days that end in "y".

 

[brian64]

I smoke because I like it and that is all.

I don't know if there is such a thing as people who smoke but don't like it...but if there are such people, I'd be willing to bet Cosmic a dozen donuts that they're all strictly cigarette smokers.

 

[bullet08]

Sure, I like to smoke as well. But, I smoked few moments ago because I was bored.

 

[olkofri]

None of that is true, not for me, not for anyone.

Tut-tut, please don't speak for myself. We haven't even ever met. ?

 

[verporchting]

Same two reasons I do anything: because I want to and I can. Period.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Not many years ago this was very much a social activity, it could be argued peer pressure was one of the primary drivers of tobacco consumption.
It didn't cost very much either, again something that was artificially ruined to try and force people to change.
Whether it's unhealthy is a matter of context.
Most people who smoke a pipe will say relaxation is a primary motivation with or without the effects of Nicotine, pipe smoking is a learned skill and an exercise in patience.

 

[weezell]

Same two reasons I do anything: because I want to and I can. Period.

Says it all... ?

 

[didimauw]

Good post. However I must comment.

I have had multiple instances where I was looking for something, a tool, knife, etc with no ideas as to where they were. Bothering the hell out of me.

Only after sitting down with my pipe, pondering the subject, did I then realized where it was at.

Maybe it's just me. But the pipe DOES help me think.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

People are here because they like smoking. We all like different things about it I guess.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Well I do. I smoke to relax when I've had a rough day at work. And it does help me think sometimes. If I've something on my mind, I know that if I just sit in quiet or with some soft music, smoking a pipe will help me get to the bottom of it. Of course I like it too. But just liking it isn't the only reason I smoke.

 

[anotherbob]

Tut-tut, please don't speak for myself. We haven't even ever met. ?

yeah. I think we know if we're relaxed by something or not. And the fact is there are several genetic markers that change the way nicotine reacts with a person. And one of those changes is if it's deeply relaxing or not. Also a key sign if something is relaxing is if it gets more popular during times of social stress. Seriously look at the numbers and all the stressful things happening then.

 

[mikethompson]

All these replies kind of prove the OP's point doesn't it?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

When I want to relax, I grab a Kleenex and start picking boogers. It gives me a chance to clear my nose and enjoy that satisfying feeling of hooking a big one.
When I want to smoke, I smoke, and I usually start doing something else to get my mind off of smoking.

And, I agree with the OP 100%, well... except the showing off part. If people aren't jealous of my $500 pipe, then they'll just have to fight me.

Keep your nose clean and continue to smoke.

 

[karam]

I like it that's all. I like the taste, in fact I am always looking forward to returning home from work so I can take our dog out and light up. There's nothing more to it, nothing to do with relaxation, manliness, rituals or JRRT.
I started smoking cigarettes at 22, way past the social and stupid teenage stuff, simply because I knew I liked to smoke. I quit cigarettes for vaping after having my first child 4 years ago, now close to quitting vaping and just keeping with the pipe.

 

[Rebub24]

That's the great thing about pipe smoking: We all have our different and varied reasons why we like it and what it means to us. It creates the opportunity for lively discussions and to see the many view points of personal preferences.

 

[whsergent]

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I have also read that it provides cognitive benefits and may stave of alzheimers, so im pretending thats why i do it

Also, if one doesnt do it often enough to get too much of a tolerance, you get to meet, and abide with, the tobacco spirit, but in my experience, that only works with pipes and cigars.

 

[mso489]

Enjoyable. An indulgence, and that's part of the pleasure. I've gone for long stretches without smoking a pipe, and I may again, for health reasons or relationship reasons (like my wife quit a ferocious cigarette habit so I quit in solidarity, entirely my own decision). In time of a health crisis for my wife, I took up a pipe instead of drinking, to sustain energy for hauling to and from medical facilities at all hours, and to center and compose myself. That's my excuse for accumulating all these pipes I won't even count and all the tins and tubs.

 

[wulfheard]

I smoke to relax. It's one of the few times in my schedule that I get to be alone with my thoughts be it sitting on my ass doing nothing or cutting the lawn or walking the dogs. From early on, my days have always been hectic and demanding. My profession requires a lot of fast track projects which require long hours to meet schedules and deadlines. Given the fact that I end up spending so much time professionally, I have to squeeze all my personal time into a severely reduced window. The times that I am able to carve out to enjoy the ritual of smoking a bowl full of tobacco is "me" time.

 

[wulfheard]

When I want to relax, I grab a Kleenex and start picking boogers. It gives me a chance to clear my nose and enjoy that satisfying feeling of hooking a big one.
When I want to smoke, I smoke, and I usually start doing something else to get my mind off of smoking.

And, I agree with the OP 100%, well... except the showing off part. If people aren't jealous of my $500 pipe, then they'll just have to fight me.

Keep your nose clean and continue to smoke.

I'm kind glad I read that after I ate lunch...?