I had a similar experience. Grew up as a very active athlete. Never smoked aside from the occasional cigarette as a teen. As most of us did. Then as the years passed and my stress increased I sought something to add to my routine to force me to slow down. Take a breath. Think. Meditate. And the pipe came to mind like a sudden burst of light. And what a charm it brought to me. I’ll smoke 1 to 2 a week, if that. And sometimes go weeks without. It’s helped me read my books again. Write some poems. And enjoy the pipes themselves. The cleaning, restoring, and collecting. Even just smelling the tobacco and cellaring it. I’ll take the minor health risks. For me, the trade off is worth it. Everything in moderation. Great video!
This video resonated very much with me. Once while my wife was on a work trip for a weekend, I tried smoking my pipe 3 or 4 times a day, and it wasn't pleasant. My tongue felt super rough, I was definitely breathing in a large amount of side stream/secondhand smoke and my lungs felt congested the next morning, and worst of all, I just wasn't enjoying the tobacco that much, especially by the end of the day. I think I could probably smoke one bowl a day and still enjoy it if I had the time, but the truth is, I really want the pipe to be a respite from the stress of life and something that I do with proper concentration, stillness, and full attention to the process and the enjoyment, and I just don't usually have that opportunity more than about once a week. And honestly, I don't mind that! It keeps the pipe feeling special to me. And it has the side benefit that I don't need that many pipes, and it takes me a long time to go through a couple oz of tobacco, so it's by far my cheapest hobby. Thanks for your video! Cheers and best wishes from Colorado.
I feel that same as you. I’ve tried to settle on one to two a week at most. And sometimes not at all! I find I have a great deal more respect for the hobby this way.
Hi Tomas! Thanks for sharing your way to smoking a pipe. I started one month ago, and in the beginning, I did it several times a day, and it's completely not the that's i enjoyed actually, especially if i did it during my break of the work. And i started to do it in my day off and evening after work. And it's exactly what i really enjoy. With high wishes from Russia.
Fair point on overdoing something and getting less joy out of it. There is a point where if you do it too much, it just becomes a habit and nothing really special, just a mechanical repetition. I remember back in the day when I started smoking cigarettes, and was smoking maybe 3-5 a day. Those 3-5 cigarettes had more meaning than the pack a day that came later. There is a fine line between controlling something and that something controlling you, and often times it is not very obvious or well defined, and yes...sometimes we go into denial like "oh no, I could quit anytime if I wanted to". There is a limit to where something helps you with mental health and something being needed in order to keep the mental health, like in the case of nicotine addicts, they get jumpy and irritable if they don't get their fix, at that point the costs far outweigh the benefits. Thank you for the video!
A great subject to ponder. I agree that there are mental health advantages associated with piping. Pipe smoking brings me joy, it relaxes me and allows my mind to focus at a more contemplative level. With that said, I follow the same process that I apply to other aspects of my life; moderation in all things!!! Too much of a "good thing" is not a good for you. I generally have a pipe, after my chores are completed. Perhaps my Lutheran governed upbringing still lingers on. This is a subject well worth contemplating; I'm doing so as I enjoy a bowl of St Bruno. Peace and serene smokes, Gary
Thank you, Thomas, for discussing a very important topic. I agree with your thoughts. We do ourselves a disservice if we pretend there are not potential hazards associated with smoking our pipes. As much as I enjoy pipe smoking (and I certainly do), a balanced approach, with my eyes open, seems to fit me best. - Jim
I am an enigma. I am an ultramarathon runner, over 50 who smokes a pipe once/twice a week these days. Everything in moderation. While training for Iron Man, I also cycled to work multiple times a week (40 miles round trip), in city traffic (exhaust fumes, etc). Was that more dangerous? Who knows. I do have a problem with the apologists who try to make pipe smoking out to be physically healthy. That is just absurd and disingenuous. But I know for me, for mental health, it works. I say all this but no longer drink alcohol either, so what do I know?
described it perfectly man, exactly my thoughts, get the enjoyment out of moderate amounts but also dont overthink, oh im getting instantly cancer or live 5 years less and this and that, get the benefits of moderate pipe smoking and have other enjoyments like a cup of coffee or black tea and so on. Also do sports and eat healthy. Also just listen to your body....when your throat struggles take days off to recover, or if you breath heavily doing walks or riding bike when before you didnt, reduce pipe consumption to a degree you are fine with your health. Everything balanced, honest view. Greetings from Germany, you have a chill vibe.
Just found your channel by chance. This is video is so exactly what I think, I want to thank you for putting it out there. I have never smoked a cigarette, I only do the pipe, about 2-4times a week and the joy, peace, thoughtfulness, introspective thinking and calm it brings me is healing. I tend to over think alot, and just relaxing and bot over doing the pipe brings a balance and meaning to my life, that is quite incredible. No medical person could explain this, though the actual physical act of smoking isn't a ideal recommendation.... Anyway, thank you, happy serene piping to you and cheers to overall good health!!
You raise a lot of good points. I think you are right that many in our community downplay the health concerns. It's important to be realistic about the dangers and still enjoy if one chooses.
Right now smoking my pipe somewhere in Mexico. I do it only on thursday nights and sunday mornings. A time for myself. Good point. By the way listening to some 80's rock
Yeah I tried the weekend thing. But I came to a similar conclusion, having a rule felt like I was thinking way too much about it to the point it wasn’t enjoyable. Plus then I’d think, oh I better have another bowl tomorrow or I can’t smoke until next week or nonsense like that and that’s not why I smoke it, it sucked all the fun out of it. So now I just do it when I feel like it. But I try to listen to my body, if my mouth feels like it needs a rest, I give it a rest. A few days, then when I next feel like it, I enjoy my next bowl. No rules, just a better balance. Thanks for your thoughts and great advice, very well summarised.
I'm smoking my pipe way too much already. 3 - 4 bowls a day. I'm a newcomer to pipe smoking at 55 years old. Only 5 weeks into it as a means of relaxation and a liking for the taste of english blend tobaccos in particular. It's relaxing and I don't inhale to anywhere near the same degree, virtually not at all as you ideally shouldn't when smoking a pipe, as I did as an ex cigarette smoker more than 26 years ago. No, I don't inhale it deliberately into the lungs prefering a breathing technique which enables me to get the taste and the scent of the smoke.I am only too aware of the risk, oral cancer in particular, so much so that now I may still decide to give up the pipe. I must admit that I don't have a pipe in my mouth all day. I take good breaks in between. I clean my pipe out every time I use it. I use Peterson system Standards and floss snd brush my teeth regularly. I,'ve yet to get tongue burn, but the roof of the mouth tends to roughen up after a couple if pipe fulls, but smooths out fairly quickly after I've rested from smoking. Rgds.MCG
Thank you for your honest and heart felt reflection on this important topic. The world may not support smoking in general, but it's childish to live for the approval of others. There are few to none simple pleasures in life that can compare to smoking a tobacco pipe. May we all find a healthy Balance in our lives and the way we spend the precious little time we have on this Earth. Worrying will not add a day to our lives! If it feels good... DO IT!
This video is exactly what is going through my head currently but haven't reached the same balance conclusion yet. 1-2 bowl per week smoker so thx for the helpful perspective.
I do think of my pipe smoking in the past very nostalgically. A relaxing and tension easing endeavor. Enjoying the smoke and trying different pipes and tobacco. But of course I smoked cigarettes too. I considered cigarettes as a machine gun dispensing nicotine and pipe smoking as a muzzle loader. I don’t think it would happen but the fear of pipe smoking leading back cigarettes is always in the back of my mind so I’m hesitant to even try my pipes again. I still have them and they make excellent key chain holders. About a decade ago I said I would smoke my pipe again when I reached 75. Now that I’m approaching that age I’m not so sure. Take care and thanks for the video. All valid points and food for thought.
Yes, in the 90s, everyone smoked.. Smoking was a communal thing for sure. I quit about 6 yr ago, just recently pick up the pipe, and im enjoying it.. But i do miss smoking..
very interesting, same story f me. My neighbor is 93 and smoked a pipe since his 20s. He is doing better than most. I smoked in my teens and on and off for years and then didnt touch it for 15 years. Now i enjoy it but in moderation and not inhaling . Only problem being that it is expensive..
Great video. Very calming and valuable input. I myself only smoke in the summer time, and maybe once or twice a week. Do you keep the same bowl to the next day sometimes? Or just keep it for the day? I tend to pack half bowls, but they don’t smoke as well. I may have to fully pack it and relight the next day
Hello Thomas very interesting video and very well said my friend I agree with your views and try to smoke 1 to two bowls a day then there are times when I don't smoke for days I try to watch that I'm not becoming addicted to smoking my pipe when I smoke the pipe I'm enjoying it and don't want to get to the place we're I'm craving it like a person that smokes cigarettes when I do miss my pipe but idont miss the nic hit I get I miss the enjoyment I have when I'm smoking my pipe I love this video helps us to reflect on how much we do everything in moderation thanks again Thomas very well said my friend happy smokes 😃👋🔥💨💯☕ Best regards peter the Smooooooove piper
I honestly wonder about the risks of pipe/cigar smoking occasionally or even daily compared to walking through a busy city center or working in one surrounded by traffic putting out pollution, riding on tube trains down tunnels with limited air flow. The morbid fact is that we are all going to die somehow, at some point you have to decide to say hell with it and do what you want, like you say there is definitely a balance, people should try to maintain a healthy lifestyle within reason and not do objectively stupid things like eat Mac Donald's 3 times a day everyday. Generally I go through phases of smoking cigars/pipes I've been smoking cigars since I was 18 and pipes since I was about 23 or 24 I've smoked near enough everyday for a few months and then not touched anything tobacco related for 8 months or longer, other times I will have the odd smoke here and there over the course of weeks if not months. I smoke for relaxation and with me working full time that normally means I am limited to my days off which is okay. I have never once had any sort of addiction to nicotine, I haven't had any withdrawal effects, I think nicotine addiction is both a personal thing which is different for other people and I also think nicotine isn't nearly as addictive as it is claimed to be, I suspect the mystery ingredients in cigarettes are the primary cause of tobacco addiction. I find little point in bargaining for a few more years of life by being 100% health orientated only to be hit by a car on my way to work.
Not sure if you need more comments about this video...but I'll go ahead. I am 54 and I never smoked until a year ago when I decided to take up pipe smoking. The pipe - for me - is a way to connect somehow to my late grandfather who had pipes that I only discovered when I was little. Would he approve of me picking up his habit? Did he even smoke much when he was alive? I probably have more questions than answers. And, for me, I still find myself trying to get the most out of pipe smoking and struggle. I don't smoke much, maybe 1 or 2 bowls a week, if that. But, I would like to use pipe smoking as a method of relaxation and connection. Is it working? Eh...I have connected with many RU-vidrs on a level that I never thought I would...I seemed to have learned a lot...but, ultimately, I want to do it for myself. And do, I will keep trying and try not to worry too much about the process. I hope for continued health and moderation to you and all who enjoy it! Happy Piping!
I'm 38 and I stop smoking last April, I smoked for about 25 years, and I can't honestly say I'd never smoke again, but I love the idea of a pipe, would you class your self a smoker and any advice.
Thatcher a tough one. But i would be carefull givin tips here. For sure pipe smoking is smoking. But pipesmoking is for me something spiritual and has notering to do with sucking nicototine out of cigarets
Can you stop rubbing his past on his face? People make mistakes, respect them when they try to correct them. You’re such a motherless individual. I hope everyone turns their back on you when you need their help
