Smoking.

[Karsol]

I smoke pouch tobacco (pipe and/or rolled) as well as marijuana.

[Vetalia]

I'm fairly sure that air in my town doesn't contain 19 known carcinogens, and the radiation from cell phones and computers has not been shown to be as dangerous as some folks would have you believe. Granted that it does take 20 years for the cancer to manifest, and some people do get cancer who never smoke, but why subject yourself to something you know can kill you? Hey, I smoked for a very long time and liked it a lot, too. Well, no matter. One of these days you'll pull up, out of breath, and think, "Shit, I gotta quit smoking." I just hope it's before a doctor gets that solemn look on his face and asks you to sit down in his office.

It may very well contain that many...it depends heavily on where you live. Otherwise, I'm at a loss for an explanation as to why Europe and Japan have lower lung cancer rates and higher mortality despite significantly higher smoking rates and population density. The US has awful air quality exacerbated by our reliance on cars, which do emit carcinogens both in to the air and in to the water via pollution.

But, it boils down to genetics more than anything; if you're not predisposed to these conditions, you won't develop them barring exposure to something that causes cancer such as asbestos. However, if you are predisposed than you are greatly increasing your chances by smoking.

[Ifreann]

I very definitely don't smoke. I'm badly allergic to cigarette smoke; being around a smoker tends to make it very difficult for me to breathe.

I think choosing to start smoking is a profoundly stupid decision (I mean, really, the essential thought process is, "Oh, hey, how about I try this exceedingly addictive substance that is virtually guaranteed to make me seriously ill in the long run, all while making me smell awful, irritate lots of people around me, and waste a ton of money feeding my habit! Sounds like a GREAT plan!"), but plenty of smart people make stupid decisions. I don't dislike smokers provided they are courteous and reasonable. I'm even dating one. I do, however, find the sort of smoker who thinks it's funny to blow smoke in strangers' faces or to smoke in areas where it is clearly forbidden to be pretty much the scum of the earth.

Yeah, allergic, sure. "Baby, the smell of smoke on your clothes makes me sick, can you take them off?". For shame!

[Trollgaard]

Marlboro Red 100s. More cig for the same price. Paul Malls are good too.

American pall malls are absolute crap. Ukrainian pall malls, however, are some of the best cigarettes in the world. I love the charcoal filter the ukrainian pall malls have.

*dreams of last summer when I had several cartons of ukrainian pall malls*

[The Norwegian Blue]

I very definitely don't smoke. I'm badly allergic to cigarette smoke; being around a smoker tends to make it very difficult for me to breathe.

I think choosing to start smoking is a profoundly stupid decision (I mean, really, the essential thought process is, "Oh, hey, how about I try this exceedingly addictive substance that is virtually guaranteed to make me seriously ill in the long run, all while making me smell awful, irritate lots of people around me, and waste a ton of money feeding my habit! Sounds like a GREAT plan!"), but plenty of smart people make stupid decisions. I don't dislike smokers provided they are courteous and reasonable. I'm even dating one. I do, however, find the sort of smoker who thinks it's funny to blow smoke in strangers' faces or to smoke in areas where it is clearly forbidden to be pretty much the scum of the earth.

Yeah, allergic, sure. "Baby, the smell of smoke on your clothes makes me sick, can you take them off?". For shame!

I admit, I have used this as an excuse to get him naked - but it really does make me sick, I swear.

[Greater Rhodes]

I smoke pouch tobacco (pipe and/or rolled) as well as marijuana.

I've always wanted to try pipe smoking, it seems to me even classier than cigarillos and cigars, which I currently smoke.

[Karsol]

I smoke pouch tobacco (pipe and/or rolled) as well as marijuana.

I've always wanted to try pipe smoking, it seems to me even classier than cigarillos and cigars, which I currently smoke.

It's only a mosest clay pipe.
Like the one featured in the earlier cartoons of the Dominic Deegan webcomic.

Which I must state is one of my favorite web-comics, and I would totally tap the artist...or visa versa

[Demen]

yes, I do smoke. both ciggaretes and cigars.

[New Huxlian Orwell]

Just curious as to what NSG thinks on the subject. Do you smoke? If so, what? How often do you smoke? How did you start, are you addicted?

Personally, I only started smoking this year. I do it for arguably shallow reasons; because it's social, and because it makes me look and feel cool, thus raising my self-esteem. I only smoke when I'm out drinking with people, so a couple of times a week tops. I'm not addicted. I smoke cigarettes, although I'd like to give cigars and little cigars a try.

Yes, I smoke. I am a pack a day smoker. I started when about 6 years ago and yes I am addicted. I started because I was curious, and kept smoking because I liked it. I want to quit and be more healthy but it's hard to quit. My advice: Don't start. You may not be addicted now but you will be.

[Puff-Puff-Pass Land]

Do I smoke: Once in a while.
As to what I smoke, let's just say it isn't tobacco...

[Jervak]

I've been successfully talked into never smoking like my mom. I'll attempt to do the same...

[Rolamec]

I love to smoke!

Pipes, cigars, cigarettes, you name it!

Cigarettes I enjoy Benson and Hedges, great taste IMO. Marlboro reds are pretty good, but can sometimes can come off strong.

Cigars depends: Cohibas are expensive as hell, but if done properly a fine and enjoyable smoke. I have yet to have a Cuban At least a REAL one. Also cigars that just sit in a rack for months on end won't come out great. The smoke is dry and nearly painful. Cigarillos aren't bad either.

Pipes are perfect, just don't buy your tobacco at a drug store. I mean really. Prince Albert is chicken feed compared to some of the stuff you can get at a smoke shop or at Cigar International (Google for the actual site), like Sweet English -that stuff will just spoil you for everything else. One pipe per blend of tobacco, unless you do a deep cleaning of that pipe. Otherwise your mixing the taste and it won't be nearly as enjoyable. Also understand a pipe takes a bit to smoke, anywhere from 30 mins. to 2 hrs depending on how well you packed it and how fast you smoke.

Overall I would steer away from manufactured tobacco products. Machine produced cigars=shit, as does tobacco that sits in a plastic bag or tin case for months rather than a glass jar/jug. Cigarettes are a different story, rolling your own allows you more freedom and the taste is considerably better. But like most people, you don't have the time, so I'd just stick with a decent brand (like I said, Benson and Hedges are aces).

If you do smoke, I'd invest in some mouth wash and teeth whitening products. I do so religiously to keep my teeth white and pristine. Even if you stick the cigar/cigarette/pipe tip between your teeth, it will still cause your teeth to go yellow just at a slower pace than if it was sitting between your lips, against your teeth. Establish a routine, in the morning I floss, gargle teeth whitener, brush my teeth with a toothpaste for helping enhance the shine of your teeth, and than gargle again with mouth wash. Finally I put whitening strips over my teeth for the correct amount of time (varies per product). At night I do the same thing except without the strip. Do this daily to keep your teeth nice and white. The archetype that if you smoke your teeth are immediately, without exception, somehow yellow/orange, decaying, bad breathe is only true if you don't take care of them....like it would be even if you didn't smoke! So keep them white, carry around a spray (Listerine), some mints or gum.

Finally don't smoke in front or with a lady unless she's fine with it (even if she says she isn't, it isn't true). Regardless of what people say, women don't care if you smoke or not (a small percentage does, but their self righteous bitches, so fuck them), they care if your hygiene is horrible or if you just don't have one. Don't smoke than go on a date, don't smoke while on a date. Smoke on your own time, where you would have time for a shower and all that, before you see her. Keep your teeth white and clean, your breath smelling nice, and yourself not smelling of tobacco, and you'll be fine. If you find a chick who is attractive and is into smoking (as well as drinking, threesomes with other women and football), find a way to marry her.

Also I would dismiss the fear caused by getting lung, mouth, throat cancer. It certainly is possible and you have a heightened chance of it, but it doesn't mean it will happen automatically. My grandfather smoked every day of his life and died at the age of 88 from forgetting to take medication for his diabetes (caused by his drinking). There are cases where people have never smoked in their lives and get cancer. The air we breath on a daily basis is already crap; the chemicals in medication, foods, drinks; being too close to a computer, using a cellphone. If your gonna die, your gonna die. Smoking isn't good for you, but I seriously doubt there are other things which are much better that we use on a daily basis because we don't know the long term side effects.

I'm fairly sure that air in my town doesn't contain 19 known carcinogens, and the radiation from cell phones and computers has not been shown to be as dangerous as some folks would have you believe. Granted that it does take 20 years for the cancer to manifest, and some people do get cancer who never smoke, but why subject yourself to something you know can kill you? Hey, I smoked for a very long time and liked it a lot, too. Well, no matter. One of these days you'll pull up, out of breath, and think, "Shit, I gotta quit smoking." I just hope it's before a doctor gets that solemn look on his face and asks you to sit down in his office.

Meh, I doubt it. Life is short, might as well enjoy it. At the end of the day cancer is cancer whether it is derived from smog or tobacco. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen.

[Juristonia]

I smoke drum rollies.
It's an unhealthy and gross habit but I still enjoy it for god knows what reason.
Started when I was 9, out of pure curiosity. 19 years later and I'm a regular chimney.

[WWII History Geeks]

If I'm going to smoke anything, it'll be pot.

That explains a lot.

[New Manvir]

Only cannabis, not tobacco.

[New Manvir]

Do I smoke: Once in a while.
As to what I smoke, let's just say it isn't tobacco...

I think we figured out what it was when we first saw your name.

[Ryadn]

I smoked cigarettes on and off for a couple years, while I worked at a newspaper. I never got addicted. I went through streaks where I'd smoke every day for months, then not smoke at all for months. I started smoking because I was jealous of my coworkers taking cigarette breaks.

I've probably smoked five or six cigarettes in the past year, and a few joints, but after the last one I realized I can't do that even once in awhile, because it makes my asthma soooo bad. My lungs hurt for days afterward (I don't know wtf happened, but the smoke felt extra hot for some reason)---it felt scarily close to the times I've had pneumonia. Gonna have to learn how to make weed butter.

[New Manvir]

I smoked cigarettes on and off for a couple years, while I worked at a newspaper. I never got addicted. I went through streaks where I'd smoke every day for months, then not smoke at all for months. I started smoking because I was jealous of my coworkers taking cigarette breaks.

I've probably smoked five or six cigarettes in the past year, and a few joints, but after the last one I realized I can't do that even once in awhile, because it makes my asthma soooo bad. My lungs hurt for days afterward (I don't know wtf happened, but the smoke felt extra hot for some reason)---it felt scarily close to the times I've had pneumonia. Gonna have to learn how to make weed butter.

Here you go.

[Ermarian]

No, I hate smoking. I also hate it when people smoke near me. It smells nasty and gross, and it makes my clothes smell the same way. I've gotten in a couple fights

I haven't gotten into fights about it, but I do leave the room if someone lights up.

[Rolamec]

*Finds Zephie*

Lights a cigarette, blows in face.

[Utvara]

I smoke Marlboro Reds; about a pack a day, when I can afford it.

[Sun Aut Ex]

Meh, I doubt it. Life is short, might as well enjoy it. At the end of the day cancer is cancer whether it is derived from smog or tobacco. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen.

I like how people think that if they don't smoke, drink or eat tasty food, they somehow won't die.

[Pickled Tinkistan]

I do not smoke, never plan too, and have lingering problems from a few chest infections (Most recently, a bout of pneumonia back in January-April that is taking its sweet fucking time in clearing out) that make it very uncomfortable to be around smokers.

[Sun Aut Ex]

Bumping this so I can get some opinions on brands. I'm in Australia, and as a casual smoker, I'm not hugely bothered by brands, but since I smoke less, it means I can afford to spend a little more.

I currently smoke Winfield Blues, probably Australia's most common brand. I'm thinking of trying Peter Stuyvesant Classic.

[Zirconim]

No, I do not.