Denouncing the "Evils" of Pipes and Cigars.

Pipes. Cigars. Most people put them in the same category as cigarettes, but why? The only thing they have in common is the fact that they're all tobacco. But pipes and cigars are leaps and bounds ahead of cigarettes on the "bad-ass" scale.

I won't spend much time one the health differences, because there's not much to be said. Unlike cigarettes, pipes and cigars are not inhaled. Much like wine is sipped, swished, and spit at a wine tasting, pipe and cigar smoke is to be puffed, held in the CHEEKS, and pushed out. No lung contact at all. It's smoked for the flavor, not the buzz. Cigarette smoke is full of additives that put smokers at almost a 200% increased risk for lung cancer. Compare that to pipe and cigar smokers who see their cancer risk go up by a whopping...3%. Granted, this figure is for "average" pipe and cigar smokers, which means about 3 times a week. Personally, I smoke a cigar around once a month, and a pipe maybe once a week. This drops that 3% down to a negligable level. I'd be at more of a risk of contracting skin cancer by spending a day in the sun, than a whole month's worth of smoking pipes and cigars.

Health facts aside, pipe and cigar smoking is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. It's a time when one can sit back and forget about the crap that goes on in life for a half hour to an hour. A time when one can just puff away and appreciate the flavor and aroma of his smoke, as well as appreciate his surroundings. If I couldn't sit back with a nice briar pipe or corncob, or maybe a hand-rolled cigar, I can guarentee the stress level in my life would be off the charts.

So, why the hate? People are so stuffed with anti-smoking propaganda that they don't take the time to see the benefits and the realities of pipe and cigar smoking. They see something being smoked, and the immediate "this is bad!" mentality that they've been tought in school pops into their head.

Lighten up people, and let us enjoy our smokes, and enjoy our lives. Everyone has something they enjoy -- be it going to the bar with friends, or shopping, or online gaming -- and they all have their pros and cons. Why is my hobby so bad? I'll take my negligably increased risk of mouth cancer for a little enjoyment and relaxation any day.

And to all my fellow brothers and sisters of the leaf -- smoke 'em if you got 'em.