Like many millennials, virtually everyone in my family smoked cigarettes out of habit growing up. I didn’t touch tobacco until I was in my 30’s; not opposed to the idea, but lacking any desire until more recently. I had fond memories of following my dad through a tobacco shop near the Mississippi River in St. Louis during the late 90’s, and decided to give America’s first cash crop a chance. Soon an inexpensive pipe from Dr. Grabow and a sampler pack from Amphora landed on my doorstep.
Finding Myself
To be honest, the pipe and tobacco sat around for quite a while as I debated whether or not smoking a pipe was truly “me” or just another impulse purchase. Eventually I gave the pipe a few puffs and decided this wasn’t so bad. Over time it grew on me. Fast forward a couple years and I’m still not a regular smoker.
Things haven’t changed too much, and I’d say I’m still an amateur when it comes to tobacco consumption. High winds have seen matches give way to a soft flame lighter. The sampler pack from Amphora has long gone away, and a fresh tin of Peterson Early Morning recently arrived on my doorstep. No longer does my pipe lay on its side when not in use, instead sitting in it’s own stand.
Gateway Drugs and Good Vibes
My pipe hasn’t been the gateway drug that DARE promised me. While cigarettes still scream “cool” in the right hands, I’ve yet to take a drag. Cigars are less than interesting to me. Crack and cocaine haven’t creeped into my cravings either. Even the nicotine pouches that my coworkers crush like an original Hummer guzzles gasoline have no appeal. Moderation comes just as naturally as breathing for me when it comes to smoking my pipe. Every few weeks I sit on the back porch as the sun begins to fade, strike a match, and slowly nurse a small bowl of English blend. My dog sits beside me, watching the desert night come to life as we enjoy the serenity of twilight in the Southwest.
Could my evenings look like this with a nicotine pouch? To some degree yes, but only as much as a xerox looks like an original work of art. The sky and the stillness would be the same, but the experience would be much different. Instead of the ritual of loading the pipe, lighting the match, and tending of the bowl, I’d just plop a pouch in a be done. Rather than experiencing the tastes, smells, and textures of the pipe, I’d get a quick buzz and a rough patch on my cheek. Not quite the experience I look forward to.
Closing Thoughts on Late Bloomers, Gateways, and Pipe Tobacco
Having said all this, do I recommend that the reader take up smoking, even intermittently? No, just as I wouldn’t recommend checking your phone while driving or drinking socially. Ultimately it’s probably not the best choice, but I also don’t think it’s the immediate death sentence that some may lead you to believe.
Instead, I suggest living your own life and making your own decisions. Don’t let fears or peer pressure lead you to things you have no interest in yourself. Similarly, don’t be afraid to explore curiosities within reason. Will I smoke a pipe forever? Who knows, but for now it’s a nice way to slow down and unplug in our increasingly chaotic world.
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