Ethics of Pipe Smoking

 As I am writing this, it is early evening on Father's Day.  I thought I might say something about the subject, because right now I am smoking my pipe for the first time in a couple days and won't be smoking again until Tuesday or so.  But really, the number one rule of smoking a pipe is to be curteous to others.  I'm very much aware of those around us.  I came across a variety of ideas for a post for today, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult not to write about politics or religion.  It seems most anything could be either or even both.

But a pipe smoker is indeed a very special breed of person, because it seems there are so few of us.  I just saw an article about Willie Nelson.  He just turned 90 and due to his Marijuana usage, he is suffering health issues related to his lungs and esophagus and has been advised by his doctor to discontinue his use of Marijuana as a smoking substance.  So, he has resorted to consuming Marijuana in baked goods like brownies and cookies with Marijuana as an ingredient.

It seems no matter what, old Willie has resorted to consuming it instead of smoking it.  I just had a whole upper body X-Ray that showed no evidence of any harm done by tobacco use.  And I am confident that tobacco use in a tobacco pipe actually lowers my BP.  But if there were any evidence tobacco use is doing me harm, I would quit in an instant.  But Willie Nelson has been inhaling Marijuana for about 80 years of his 90 year old life.  

A pipe smoker does not inhale except for those who do and have.  I am not addicted to tobacco as I can leave it for periods of time with no ill effect on me at all.  It's just that when I don't smoke a pipe for a period of time my BP rises.  This is not an excuse, but unlike smoking cigarettes, pipe smoking has veey few health hazards, but yes, it is not risk-free.  Second hand smoke is never healthy for others, which is why I have not smoked indoors much at all.  

But this is the ethic of a pipe smoker.  I have smoked cigars only outdoors, or only indoors where cigar smoking is permitted like a smoke shop or a cigar bar.  I am always conscious of others even when smoking outdoors.  And in my case, the type of tobacco might be more or less favorable to my wife, in particular, so a lot depends on whether I am smoking around her.

I will return to my pipes tomorrow.  This morning I have chosen to take today off from pipe smoking unless we were to go to the pool this afternoon.  I did smoke my pipe last evening at my son's house on his patio.  So, I thank you for your time today, and as always, Peace to each one of you.

Dave