Pipe Smoking and Health

Reader Mike writes;

Sorry to be a downer, but my father was an avid pipe smoker and subsequently died of lung cancer at age 66. I did enjoy the smell of the smoke as a kid, but I would rather have him around to spend time with the grandkids he never knew (In fact his first grandchild -my daughter- was born 7 days before he died).

Understood, Mike. My Dad also died fairly young partly due to complications from emphysema.

This is one reason I would not have made so free with this sort of post over at Jimmy's blog... pipe smoking is something I enjoy, but indulge in only occasionally (like a few times a month). Like drinking alcohol, it's not something I would exactly recommend to someone who hasn't tried it ("Gee, Bob, did you ever consider taking up smoking?"), but - in moderation - I see little harm in it.

But I know moderation can be an elusive thing, our fallen nature being what it is. A lot of Americans, having 150 cable channels and abundant food, simply lack the maturity and discipline to avoid becoming corpulent and pasty-skinned T.V. zombies. Some people who drink become drunks, and some people who smoke will indulge beyond the limits of good sense. I am aware of that, and for that reason I am careful about when and where I smoke my pipe.

Though it might be argued that I should keep the whole thing to myself, I'm just allergic enough to political correctness that I don't quite bridle to the idea. I can't control what other people do, and I enjoy the society and camaraderie of other pipe smokers. I also don't really mind giving the real hard-core anti-smoking zealots a poke in the eye.

There is no really good reason to take up smoking, and yet, I look forward to my next pipe. All I can say is, if you don't smoke now, don't bother starting - there are more worthwhile hobbies. If you just can't help but try out pipe or cigar smoking (cigarettes are out of the question) think of it the way you would a lavish meal or a good bottle of wine... indulge like that every day and not only will you find less enjoyment in it, you might find yourself with a real problem.

Comments

[Del]

Howdy Tim!

This, from The Quotemeister at chesterton.org:
===================
Quotations which might still be by Chesterton, but we still haven’t found them:
"The Catholic Church is like a thick steak, a glass of red wine, and a good cigar."
(along the same lines) Chesterton supposedly said what drew him to the Faith was the fact that "the pipe, the pint, and the cross could all fit together" within the worldview of Catholic sensibility.

(Best guess so far is that they’re by Belloc, but we have no citations)
===================
This really is from Belloc:

Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There is always laughter, and good red wine.
At least, I have always found it so...
Benedicamus Domino!

All I can say is that we are not Puritans, and we are not hedonists. We are Chestertonian Catholics -- we feast with moderation, and fast with devotion. It's a good life!

[Elijah]

If pipe and cigar smoking are okay in moderation, I don't see why cigarettes are out of the question. I smoked 1-2 cigarettes (not packs!) a day for years and now smoke about 1-2 a month, so cigarettes can be used in moderation as well.

[Tim J.]

Okay, Elijah, fair enough. It just seems to me that by their nature, cigarettes would be more unhealthy and addictive than cigars or pipes. I think statistics will back that up.

I'm glad you are able to enjoy them without all the unpleasantness. Ever try a pipe?

[Scott W.]

Moderation is a virtue. And unfortunately virtues are out of fashion because they imply personal culpability. So arises the cult of the body the that tells us it is not our personal failings that cause the problem, but stuff out there (cholesterol, smoke, alcohol, anything enjoyable) that is out to get us.

[Elijah]

I have smoked a pipe and did enjoy it, but also found that it was harsher than cigarette smoke even with its pleasant aroma and burnt my tongue. Of course, I wasn't experienced at it. Maybe that effect could be eliminated with a longer stem or something? I'm curious to try rolling my own cigarettes using tobacco that is natural and additive free because I'm certain that it would be less harmful and probably more enjoyable to boot.

I have an uncle who quit smoking cigarettes by switching to pipe smoking and promptly died of lip cancer, but, as you say, moderation is the key and I don't think he practiced it.

Really nice painting btw, and good start on the blog.

[Tim J.]

As I say, I'm no expert pipe smoker. I have only just started smoking again, but I do think that with experience one can learn how to avoid things like the harshness you describe. I have started with a popular very mild tobacco, Old Norseman, rather than something too exotic for my beginner's palate.

I try to remember to smoke slowly, and I'm also learning how many times I can re-light a particular smoke before it becomes harsh and bitter on the toungue.

I think my problem with cigarettes is more about philosophy and aesthetics than of flavor.

[Scott W.]

Hi Elijah!

Ahh, classic case of tongue bite. Two major culprits of this for less experienced pipers is the blend and the smoking technique.

Unfortunatley many new pipers go for what is known as aromatic blends. Blends that smell wonderful, but are usually a bad choice because they tend to smoke hot. Also, they usually have less flavor than non-aromatics, so the beginner starts to huff trying to get some taste and voila! Scorched tongue. The blend that got me loving the pipe was Fribourg & Treyer's Cut Virginia Plug. Many VA's can scorch, but not this one. However, it may be hard to locate this blend. Here are two links: http://www.smokersforums.org/index.php

And http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/

The reviews at the second site have to be taken with a grain of salt, but when you see people consistently complaining about tongue bite on a blend, you can bet it is one to avoid.

[Mary Kay]

just wanted to make sure that I found my way over here. be back tomorrow, maybe.

[Dug]

Just happened upon this fine site, Tim. You should pop in and check out the raucous online fellowship at http://www.christianpipesmokers.net (and help me carry the evangelical Catholic standard there among the many fine Protestant brethren who are the majority there).

I, like you, enjoy a pipe perhaps once a week, and am partial to English blends (with Hearth & Home "Sunjammer" and GLP "Westminster" being favorites in my current rotation).

Keep up the fine blogging, and God keep you!

[Sean P. Dailey]

To Mike, still grieving for his father, my sincerest condolances. May he be enjoying the Beatific vision with God in Heaven.

However, I would caution against condemning all smoking because your father died of lung cancer. I understand your feelings are intense on this, but that should not mean that tobacco should be banned. My mother-in-law died just a week before our second son was born. Though she didn't smoke, she also died of cancer -- ovarian cancer.

No one is saying that everyone should smoke or that we should smoke all the time. But it remains a legitimate pleasure for people to indulge in, subject to the same rules about gluttony and temperance that govern every other appetite.

[Sean P. Dailey]

Tim J. said:

Okay, Elijah, fair enough. It just seems to me that by their nature, cigarettes would be more unhealthy and addictive than cigars or pipes. I think statistics will back that up.

Mass market cigarettes (Camels, Marlboros, etc.) ARE more addictive because they are chemically enhanced to be so. There are tons of other chemicals in cigarette tobacco, one of which is a chemical to keep them lit even when you're not puffing away. If you want non-chemically enhanced cigarettes, you either have to roll your own or by American Spirit brand, which are free of chemical additives.

I'm not saying that non-chemically enhanced cigarette tobacco is healthy, but the risk of cancer is much reduced as compared to mass-market cigarettes.

Also, aesthetically speaking, cigarettes are a French refinement. Need I say more?

[Celeste]

Howdy Tim--

Please see my note on Jimmy's blog-- Thanks

[John R.P. Russell]

Tim J., Sean P. Dailey, and any who would deny the beauty of a cigarette,

Perhaps you have simply never had a Nat Sherman?

A cigarette, well made, can be flavorful, slow-burning, even contemplative like its larger cousins.

[Mike]

"However, I would caution against condemning all smoking because your father died of lung cancer. "

Sean,
Don't get me wrong on my stance (I guess I never really stated one) on this. I agree with your and the other folks comments in regard to doing these types of things in moderation. I just felt that the comments were running away with nothing but a positive outlook on smoking. I am all for personal freedoms as long as the choices that the freedom allows are well informed.
Thank you for your kind comments.