Wet Behind the Ears, but Loving It!

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Chickenpicker

Lurker
Feb 21, 2024
23
61
Massachusetts
Hi all,

I’m new to the site and after about 13 years, coming back to a hobby I’ve been interested in since being a kid.

13 years ago, I was smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco on top of my pipe smoking. I had tried to quit the cigarettes and chew, while continuing to smoke my pipes, but I was unsuccessful in separating the 2 habits from the latter. Consequently, I made the decision to quit all tobacco consumption, and I was successful in the end.

Over the past 13 years, I missed my pipes greatly, however I never felt confident in picking up the pipe without sliding backwards on the cigarettes and chew. Well, this year I began to feel like enough time had gone by and I could give it a try and see what would come of it, and I’m thrilled that I did! It’s been about 2 months being back to enjoying the pipe and as I’ve had no cravings or interest in cigarettes in any way, I feel that I can go forward with love of pipes/pipe tobacco safely without the threat of backsliding.

Anyways, as previously mentioned, my interest in the hobby started as a kid, I read a lot of fiction including Tolkien and Conan Doyle and my grandfather smoked a pipe. With those influences I had always looked forward to taking up pipe smoking as I grew of age. So, picking up the hobby again brings back lots of memories and feels like home so to speak.

Being from Massachusetts (don’t hold that against me lol..) a lot has changed for pipe smokers in the past 13 years… the laws specifically are mind boggling to me, however it’s still a viable hobby within the State and I’m happy to go for a ride/smoke to out of State stores to have more selection and better prices. (More reasonable taxes).

As for as other background, I’m married, have 4 children, 1 grandkid, and another grandkid coming. I’m lucky in that my wife enjoys the smell of a pipe and has no issue with my smoking a pipe or two a day in the house, for that I’m thankful as the winter months are cold here in the Northeast lol.

I’m a full time performing musician, playing in 3 different bands (blues, classic rock, and “jam” band styles) as well as I play many solo gigs acoustically through each week. I’ve been playing since about age 7 and it’s a calling/passion of mine. I typically play in the New England area, with a few gigs throughout the year in the New York area.

Other than that, I’m just thrilled to be taking up the hobby again, and while I did enjoy smoking pipes years ago, I’m truly starting over as when I had quit all tobacco, I had gotten rid of my small collection, so it’s starting from scratch again for me. I’ve a lot to learn as well, as in my prior experience, I didn’t ask many questions or really dive into it properly to learn as much as I really want to.

Thanks for reading!!
 

jaingorenard

Part of the Furniture Now
Apr 11, 2022
733
3,341
Norwich, UK
Welcome from Norwich, UK. I had the same problem when I was trying to quit cigarettes. Every time I had a pipe it would just make me want another cigarette (bearing in mind I actually smoked a pipe before cigarettes). I think I stopped completely for about 5 or 6 months, and was then able to start smoking the pipe again (although it took me a few tries over a couple of years to quit cigs, and I still miss them now).

I'm in the lucky position now where I can have the odd cigarette every few months and not get re-hooked, but it took me a while to be able to do that!