So I gave up smoking cigarettes...

[juni]

...yesterday and am now trying to manage with pipes only.

I still feel like the nicotine levels are all weird - it is a strange feeling that something is not quite right. I guess I should find a tobacco with a real "kick" to it. It was easy to just light up a cig whenever I wanted but I realize I was doing it way too much. In order to smoke a pipe you have to put in a little bit more effort.

Since I can't spend an hour on a bowl I just relight the one I'm working on when I have a smoke break. One bowl seems to last 4 breaks (1 bowl = 4 cigarettes?).

It also felt strange to smoke a pipe here at work, wondering what people would say. Have any other pipe smokers "come out"? What were the reactions? Pipe smoking isn't that common, I don't think I ever seen anyone else do it here. One co-worker said that now I need to get a tweed blazer, with suede elbow patches and some slippers. I guess the majority feels like pipes are for "older" gentlemen.

Has anyone else has similar experiences?

[dmkerr]

Dare to be different!

I don't recall seeing one pipesmoker on a smoke break at any of the companies I've worked for. You're a trailblazer!

I only smoke on my lunch hour in the car while I'm running errands.

[juni]

We shouldn't have to hide and be sneaky about it .

[Mitch]

lol, dang pot heads have ruined it for us. I always wonder what other cars are thinking when I am packing a bowl in a parking lot, and lighting it. But I don't think much of it though. Pot has a pretty distinct flavor, and they will tell the difference. Plus smoke your pipe when you want. Most people I know love the smell.

[Lefty]

Were you smoking cigarettes and a pipe (not at the same time)?

Being a former cigarette smoker I can attest the nicotine delivery and "punch" is not the same, so you should expect to feel the same. Cigarettes are meant to give you a nicotine high, not so much for the enjoyment of the tobacco. Plus with all the extra chemicals in cigarettes your body will be in a withdrawal state for a while.

After I quit cigarettes, it was 3 months (at least) before I picked up cigars and moved onto a pipe a while later. This gave my body time to adjust and clean out all the poisons.

[MarkC]

Yeah, I quit smoking ciggies years ago; I can't imagine having any success giving up cigs while smoking a pipe, but on the other hand, I used nicotine gum to kick the habit, so maybe it will actually help.

[Mad Hatter]

Good luck to you. I'm in an ongoing battle with cigarettes but did successfully kick it a year ago for the winter using the pipe but starting with cigars (of which I'm definitely not a fan). Nicotene and delivery? Yeah its different, for sure. Personally I think pipe tobacco is much stronger (I've never caught a buzz smoking cigaettes while not inhaling) but I believe its the other chemicals in the cigs that are so addictive and so harmful; I dunno, but even a strong RYO which has more nicotene seems to lack the chemical delivery of a pre-roll whether Salem Lights or Camel nons.

[drastic_quench]

Get yourself a small pipe for smoke breaks. Cobs are effective and dirt cheap for this, but then, it's also a cob.

Both Peterson and Stanwell make very nice briars that are perfect for smoke breaks and affordable. The Peterson shapes are barrel, belgique, and tankard -- and the Stanwell Featherweight line has a wide variety of light and small shapes. smokingpipes.com always has a good selection of both.

Then you need a tobacco with a solid nicotine punch. Some Virginas like Hal O The Wynd are up there in strength, Hal also has a bit of top of the line cigarette flavor if that appeals to you. Rope tobaccos are also notoriously stong in the nicotine department -- so much so that you probably wouldn't want to smoke an large bowl full, but perhaps perfect for a small and quick smoke.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

...I believe its the other chemicals in the cigs that are so addictive and so harmful; I dunno, but even a strong RYO which has more nicotene seems to lack the chemical delivery of a pre-roll whether Salem Lights or Camel nons.

I agree with you completely; there is more going on with cigarettes than nicotine. I remember trying Drum tobacco and being delighted with the taste, but five minutes later I was already craving a smoke. Drum delivered the nicotine so that was NOT the problem.

[Earley]

Originally Posted by drastic_quench

Get yourself a small pipe for smoke breaks. Cobs are effective and dirt cheap for this, but then, it's also a cob.

I've got a couple Dr. Grabows that are the perfect size for a lunch time smoke. Plus you'll get less ribbing than you would smoking a cob.

[MasonM]

I am also struggling to give up cigarettes in favor of the pipe. I have been gradually reducing the cigarettes I smoke and choosing the pipe instead.

As for pipe tobacco with a real nicotine "punch", I don't think anything out there tops 5 Brothers in that regard. The stuff will make your knees weak without inhaling a single puff. LOL

[juni]

I've been eyeing a Stanwell Featherweight as a quick smoker. One thing I noticed is when I smoke a full bowl in the evening I don't really crave cigarettes as much and it does give a different kind of rush plus ... it just tastes better.

I've never seen rope tobacco sold here . Last time I was at the local pipe shop i was going to get some Hal but they were out so I got some Marlin Flake instead.

[smelvis]

Congrats Dude!
Great news, I gave them up about eight months ago, I think part of what you are feeling is the loss of chemicals. I felt it to going to straight tobacco without all the poison is a drastic change on the system. Don't go back if anything try some low dose 7mg patches in conjunction with the pipe until you get through it.

Good Luck

[Jessefive]

When I quit cigarettes, I didn't smoke anything for 2 years. I was really afraid to get into pipe smoking because I didn't want to get back into the habit. But the way I see it, the act of pipe smoking is a much different thing. I've never really thought of it as a smoke break hobby. The need for a nicotine hit is different, and once that need goes away, I think you'll enjoy pipes in a much different way.

[Arizona]

Welcome to the Forum. You'll learn all you need to here so dont be shy about asking questions.

I do the same as you - I smoke a bowl off and on throughout the day if too busy to sit down and smoke the entire bowl at one time. Just tamp and relight it. You can have a one minute smoke if you want with a pipe. The tobacco goes out quickly so none is lost if you just light it and take a few puffs. The bowl can be relit many times if you need to.

Don't worry about what others say. I think most people find a pipe smoker interesting and also enjoy the smell of pipe tobacco. Blaze a new trail and maybe you'll end up recruiting a new pipester into this wonderful past-time...