So, here I am again...trying to switch from cigarettes to pipe. I've tried this twice before with varying degrees of success. But I really want to make the change permanent.
In doing so, I've identified WHY smoking a pipe is a better option. I don't smoke the amount of tobacco in a pipe that I was cigarettes (2+ pack habit). I'm trying not to inhale, and I'm spending a lot less per day on tobacco (cigarettes are $9-10 per pack here). Plus, I like the flavors available in pipe tobacco better, and feel that it's "classier".
I'm doing everything I can to identify and avoid the pitfalls that I hit in earlier attempts:
Pitfall 1--time. During the previous attempts, I worked jobs that didn't allow me the time to smoke a pipe. It was much easier to huff down a cigarette or two when I had downtime.
Pitfall 2--keeping smokeable pipes. In earlier attempts, I only had one or two briars, and lacked the time and discipline to Keep them clean and smokeable. The old pipes that I have laying around are so caked up, that I'm going to have to spend a day reaming and another with salt and rum to even make them good beaters.
Pitfall 3--lack of local tobacco availability. There's not many pipe smokers in my area, so few if any places keep pipe tobacco in stock. It was easy to run out, and have to go back to cigarettes.
Pitfall 4--boredom with available tobaccos. With that lack of availability came a profound lack of variety. The few places that carry pipe tobacco here at all may only have one or two types on hand. No offense to anybody that likes it, but I got bored quite quickly with Borkam Riff.
Pitfall 5--keeping everything together. It's very easy to take off and forget a key component necessary for smoking a pipe.
So, how am I dealing with these pitfalls? Well, my current job affords me enough downtime to have an occasional pipe, and clean between smokes.
I've found a good online enabler...err...retailer. I now have three nice (but affordable) briars to put in a rotation, and a couple of cobs on hand. I usually bounce between briar and cob throughout a day, and I'm doing a fair job of including pipe cleaning as part of my nightly routine.
I'm also able to buy quality tobacco in bulk at a price that makes my cigarettes look ridiculous. I'm trying to keep a pound each of English, VA-Per and Cherry aromatic on hand. Each type is assigned a pipe, and I rotate the tobaccos along with the pipe.
Does anybody else have a strategy that has worked in making a permanent switch from cigarettes to pipe?
In doing so, I've identified WHY smoking a pipe is a better option. I don't smoke the amount of tobacco in a pipe that I was cigarettes (2+ pack habit). I'm trying not to inhale, and I'm spending a lot less per day on tobacco (cigarettes are $9-10 per pack here). Plus, I like the flavors available in pipe tobacco better, and feel that it's "classier".
I'm doing everything I can to identify and avoid the pitfalls that I hit in earlier attempts:
Pitfall 1--time. During the previous attempts, I worked jobs that didn't allow me the time to smoke a pipe. It was much easier to huff down a cigarette or two when I had downtime.
Pitfall 2--keeping smokeable pipes. In earlier attempts, I only had one or two briars, and lacked the time and discipline to Keep them clean and smokeable. The old pipes that I have laying around are so caked up, that I'm going to have to spend a day reaming and another with salt and rum to even make them good beaters.
Pitfall 3--lack of local tobacco availability. There's not many pipe smokers in my area, so few if any places keep pipe tobacco in stock. It was easy to run out, and have to go back to cigarettes.
Pitfall 4--boredom with available tobaccos. With that lack of availability came a profound lack of variety. The few places that carry pipe tobacco here at all may only have one or two types on hand. No offense to anybody that likes it, but I got bored quite quickly with Borkam Riff.
Pitfall 5--keeping everything together. It's very easy to take off and forget a key component necessary for smoking a pipe.
So, how am I dealing with these pitfalls? Well, my current job affords me enough downtime to have an occasional pipe, and clean between smokes.
I've found a good online enabler...err...retailer. I now have three nice (but affordable) briars to put in a rotation, and a couple of cobs on hand. I usually bounce between briar and cob throughout a day, and I'm doing a fair job of including pipe cleaning as part of my nightly routine.
I'm also able to buy quality tobacco in bulk at a price that makes my cigarettes look ridiculous. I'm trying to keep a pound each of English, VA-Per and Cherry aromatic on hand. Each type is assigned a pipe, and I rotate the tobaccos along with the pipe.
Does anybody else have a strategy that has worked in making a permanent switch from cigarettes to pipe?
