A New Study

 A study was conducted comparing cigarette smokers to cigar smokers.  But pipe smokers were not included, because I don't equate the pipe smoker to cigar smokers.  Cigarette smokers are more neurotic and tend to smoke because they feel they have to.  But are pipe smokers the same as cigar smokers?  I didn't learn a lot from this study, because I know cigar smokers tend to be more extroverted and will smoke in groups.  

Further cigar smokers light up when they want to, which is the same for pipe smokers.  A pipe smoker might take his pipe to the local cigar bar as I have done a number of times, but pipe smokers tend to be more solitary, but not like a cigarette smoker.  It seems cigarette smokers smoke to calm their nerves, cigar smokers smoke because they are extroverted and want to socialize while smoking a cigar.

But a pipe smoker?  This is what I don't get about the study, because it was conducted to help doctors in getting patients to quit smoking.  I can understand giving up cigarettes.  In fact, I think cigarettes should be outlawed all together!  But cigars and pipes?  These aren't necessarily addictive, at least not like cigarettes.  If a cigar smoker wants to spend $20 on a cigar, he can save himself a lot of money by not smoking one.  But no cigar or pipe smoker will talk about the health risks of either.

These two might be psychologically addictive, and I do believe cigars are riskier than pipes.  But I personally don't see value in this study at all, except for helping cigarette smokers to quit.  I smoke a pipe only when it is convenient to do so.  Otherwise I don't.  And I can say the same about cigars.  But I do believe cigars have a greater health risk that the pipe.  It's why I smoke so few of them.  But I can literally go days or weeks without a pipe.  

Former cigarette smokers are plentiful and generally they will use no tobacco after they quit.  Cigars and pipes aren't inhaled and most former cigarette smokers can't smoke anything without inhaling.  But a twenty minute cigar has a lot more nicotine than a twenty minute pipe does.  Most any cigar or pipe smoker will quit when and if he feels his health is at risk.  I've actually quit many times and can again if I wish with no I'll effects.  I just haven't reached the point when I want to quit.

I told my wife that I took a death quiz on when I would die based on the year of my birth.  All it wanted to know was my birthday and asked whether I smoked or not.  I chose non-smoker first and it said I would live until 2026.  I decided to change it to smoker and it said I died in 2016.  Go figure.  Cigar smokers are extroverts who like to socialize with other cigar smokers.  Smoking a pipe lowers my BP.  I'll make it to 2026 and beyond if Divine Intervention doesn't happen before then.

I enjoy my pipe too much and I've found tobacco use lowers my Blood Pressure and not raise it.  I just can't smoke it anywhere I please.  I average about five bowls a day, and pipe tobacco has no additives nor do I inhale.  I just don't see the point of quitting.  And THAT is my point.  Today it is my Peterson Irish Harp pipe with some Haunted Bookshop.  My coffee today is Ethiopian Guji coffee. And that's something else I really shouldn't do, but do it anyway.  Maybe experts should focus more on caffeine!  Do I tempt fate?  After facing death several times now, my Spirit Guides say otherwise. I just don't tempt them.   Thank you for your time and Peace to each of you.

Dave