Pipes never crossed my mind. Knew few people who smoked pipes, but never seen them smoking. One day, I just thought it was something to do. Was getting sick of cigarettes.
Tried pipes almost 15 years ago enjoyed it but it was pre my internet shopping phase. I had endless 20yo young punk BS to distract me and the nearest tobacco shop was a 2hr drive (Still is )
While.
Cigarettes were available EVERYWHERE. So they just kinda won by default.
I couldn't have started much earlier as the legal purchasing age was 18 at the time and I picked up the pipe more or less right away after leaving home for college. Desperate to appear smarter and more mature than I am was.