The Smoking Thread

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April 27th, 2021 at 3:38:55 PM permalink
Mission146
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Quote: petroglyph
I wonder if "Chaw" is what I'm thinking of? I only met one grandfather a few times, but I recall he had the standard folding pocket knife that we've all seen, and he would unfold it to cut a piece off of his "plug" of tobacco.

https://youtu.be/rQ7QrKfZL-U


Chaw comes in a pouch, Bowie, Red Man and Levi Garrett are a few examples.
"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen..let us give them all they want." William T. Sherman
April 27th, 2021 at 4:00:01 PM permalink
AZDuffman
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 135
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I have to say I never needed the warning labels on snuff. I just found it a filthy, disgusting habit I wanted no part of. I had to deal with friends who used it all the time. And most were clueless to how filthy and disgusting it was. Leaving spittoons all over the place, spitting all over the place. Listening to them try to talk with a mouth loaded with the stuff. I would mostly rather they smoked, though some did both.
The President is a fink.
April 27th, 2021 at 4:02:37 PM permalink
Mission146
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Quote: Gandler
My first tobacco product (that I used regularly) was dip. When I turned 18 (which I was still in HS at 18) I bought a can, I wanted to try something, and it was something that nobody was really using so I thought it would be fun to try. I didn't know many people who dipped, so I thought it would be exciting to try it. I got a massive head buzz and loved it and kept wanting to buy more.


You’ve got quite a stomach! The Renegades were tobacco pouches. Some of the different kinds gave me issues; I think Skoal Long Cut Mint and some Cherry one (wasn’t Skoal, but I forget what it was) were the only kinds of dip I could keep in for longer than five minutes.

My favorite chaw was Bowie, which has or had something of a bourbon flavor to it. The nice thing about chaw was that you could keep it buried deep in your cheek for a half hour or an hour, only occasionally adding to it with a small pinch of fresh. It also doesn’t generate saliva as quickly. I guess also that you weren’t massively screwed if you swallowed a little on accident. For me, if I accidentally swallowed a little Skoal, it wasn’t going to be down there very long. Not vomiting, exactly, just coughing it up and spitting the whole thing out.

You’ve got a hell of a gag reflex!

Quote:

I honestly never used much tobacco before 18, other than maybe a random drag off a friend's cigarette, I can't recall, but I certainly never smoked a full cigarette before 18. I say only much tobacco, because I think I may have had a cigar with work people before 18 (that may even be off in my head, my late teen years tend to blend together), but I certainly never used tobacco in any sort of formal sense before 18, its quite possible I never used any tobacco at all before 18.
It was very much my turning 18 habit (dipping), for the most part I was/am pretty strict about following the rules.

I love nicotine, I can say it is my favorite drug. It both stimulates and relaxes you. Smoking is probably my least favorite way to consume nicotine. I can't smoke with any sense of longevity, because I just feel the toll that it takes on my physical ability and lung capacity. I have gone through periods oversees and places where smoking was socially the standard or there were no legal smokeless options (ironically cigarettes are the only legal tobacco product in many countries, so it forces you into unhealthy choices).


Smoking is my favorite way, but I could quit if I really wanted. Caffeine is my favorite drug; I can’t even minimally function without it. I wouldn’t smoke just for the nicotine; I legitimately like both the flavor and the physical act of smoking.

I tend to think my lung capacity is actually pretty good, but I’m sure not what it could be. I smoked more frequently at 13 than I do now, so I’d say I was too young to ever remember the difference in lung capacity.

As far as other countries not allowing smokeless, probably because it’s messy. Spit cups and all. Isn’t chewing gum illegal in one country?

Another reason I prefer smoking is because I want my tobacco related cancer to be less likely to be cosmetic. Black lungs? Whatever. I don’t see my lungs in the mirror.

I remember the poster in school, “If what happened on your insides happened on your outside, would you still smoke?” My response: Yeah, well, it doesn’t.

Quote:

Now I try to avoid all tobacco and use tobacco-free nicotine products. The last time I have probably smoked a cigarette was whenever I was last in a casino, which was a long time ago now. I had a cigar with a friend sometime around Christmas, that is probably the last time I smoked anything. Casinos seem to be the last place that it is fully acceptable to smoke without negative comments or anyone caring (even nonsmokers seem to not notice or care, I think its partially due to their advanced air filters, and partially due to gambler being so hyper focused on the game they don't care about their surrounding, even lighting a cigar or cigarettes at bars/clubs will often get you nasty comments or at least rude looks nowadays).

Right now, I am really into nicotine pouches, its the best of both worlds, good nicotine kick without the grossness of dipping (I don't find it gross, but I can understand why others do). And, this is an expanding market so there are constantly new products and flavors to try (let along types, pouches, dissolvables, gum, lozenges, etc....) I predict that tobacco free nicotine alternatives will grow rapidly in the coming years as a more socially acceptable way to consume nicotine (and even if it is not, nobody will ever know you are using).

My favorite cigarette to stay on topic (out of those that still exist) is easily Camels (unfiltered originals). I am still salty that they rebranded Lucky Strike (I actually called the Lucky Strike hotline a few months back to ask/complain why they stopped producing the original, I never thought that I would call a cigarette customer line, but here we are, the guy on the phone was super polite and sympathetic, he was just probably bored and seemed eager to talk about random nicotine products, I can't imagine many people call cigarette brand specific hotlines) which used to be my favorite.


I can’t say for sure I wouldn’t smoke even absent the nicotine.

As far as casinos, no offense to the adamant non-smokers, but they don’t have to gamble. My opinion is the same when it comes to bars, plenty of other places to drink. I understand banning it virtually anywhere else indoors. If they thought non-smoking had the marketability to be more profitable (where smoking is otherwise an option), then they would be non-smoking. Didn’t work for Revel, but they had all kinds of other problems, so who knows?

I tried the smokeless lozenges because they were giving a container away for free when you bought a pack of anything Marlboro. I should not have asked for the strongest ones. That was very nearly a reversal of fortune. Tasty Mint flavor, but then I stood up getting out of the car and almost lost it everywhere! I threw the rest away because I couldn’t find anyone who wanted them. Nobody I knew and even a homeless dude who bummed a smoke off of me declined.

It’s funny because my tolerance for alcohol was out of this world when I drank. Little extra nicotine and my apple and banana almost reappeared.

I like that you called the hotline! Maybe I will one day! Unfiltered Camels are solid.
"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen..let us give them all they want." William T. Sherman
April 27th, 2021 at 4:03:58 PM permalink
Mission146
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Member since: Oct 24, 2012
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Quote: AZDuffman
I have to say I never needed the warning labels on snuff. I just found it a filthy, disgusting habit I wanted no part of. I had to deal with friends who used it all the time. And most were clueless to how filthy and disgusting it was. Leaving spittoons all over the place, spitting all over the place. Listening to them try to talk with a mouth loaded with the stuff. I would mostly rather they smoked, though some did both.


That’s another nice thing about chaw. Cheek popped out a little aside, you’d never know I had it in. If I was with someone who was grossed out by spitting, chaw was swallowable.
"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen..let us give them all they want." William T. Sherman
April 27th, 2021 at 4:57:19 PM permalink
Gandler
Member since: Aug 15, 2019
Threads: 27
Posts: 4236
Quote: Mission146
You’ve got quite a stomach! The Renegades were tobacco pouches. Some of the different kinds gave me issues; I think Skoal Long Cut Mint and some Cherry one (wasn’t Skoal, but I forget what it was) were the only kinds of dip I could keep in for longer than five minutes.

My favorite chaw was Bowie, which has or had something of a bourbon flavor to it. The nice thing about chaw was that you could keep it buried deep in your cheek for a half hour or an hour, only occasionally adding to it with a small pinch of fresh. It also doesn’t generate saliva as quickly. I guess also that you weren’t massively screwed if you swallowed a little on accident. For me, if I accidentally swallowed a little Skoal, it wasn’t going to be down there very long. Not vomiting, exactly, just coughing it up and spitting the whole thing out.

You’ve got a hell of a gag reflex!


If I dip at all anymore its pouches. Loose tobacco is just too messy. I actually gag pretty easily, so if I dip loose its a whole process of packing it properly and positioning it properly (I always upper deck as it causes you to salivate and spit far less). A lot of people make fun of pouches, I don't care, I enjoy them (when I dip), and I enjoy not having a mouth full of loose chunks of tobacco when I remove it.

I have never tried renegades, I think they still make them. (Never mind I am think of Bandits, which are made by Skoal). It appears Renegades are made by Swedish Match (who make most of the mainstream Snus such as General), but have been discontinued.

https://www.northerner.com/us/renegades



Quote: Mission146
Smoking is my favorite way, but I could quit if I really wanted. Caffeine is my favorite drug; I can’t even minimally function without it. I wouldn’t smoke just for the nicotine; I legitimately like both the flavor and the physical act of smoking.

I tend to think my lung capacity is actually pretty good, but I’m sure not what it could be. I smoked more frequently at 13 than I do now, so I’d say I was too young to ever remember the difference in lung capacity.

As far as other countries not allowing smokeless, probably because it’s messy. Spit cups and all. Isn’t chewing gum illegal in one country?

Another reason I prefer smoking is because I want my tobacco related cancer to be less likely to be cosmetic. Black lungs? Whatever. I don’t see my lungs in the mirror.

I remember the poster in school, “If what happened on your insides happened on your outside, would you still smoke?” My response: Yeah, well, it doesn’t.


I love caffeine as well. Nicotine and caffeine are the best way to start the day.

But, there are many complicated rules to why it is banned. For example the EU banned smokeless tobacco in the 90s from what I have been told, so its impossible to buy dip or chew in most of Europe and you are forced to smoke (or now Vape).


Quote: Mission146
I can’t say for sure I wouldn’t smoke even absent the nicotine.

As far as casinos, no offense to the adamant non-smokers, but they don’t have to gamble. My opinion is the same when it comes to bars, plenty of other places to drink. I understand banning it virtually anywhere else indoors. If they thought non-smoking had the marketability to be more profitable (where smoking is otherwise an option), then they would be non-smoking. Didn’t work for Revel, but they had all kinds of other problems, so who knows?

I tried the smokeless lozenges because they were giving a container away for free when you bought a pack of anything Marlboro. I should not have asked for the strongest ones. That was very nearly a reversal of fortune. Tasty Mint flavor, but then I stood up getting out of the car and almost lost it everywhere! I threw the rest away because I couldn’t find anyone who wanted them. Nobody I knew and even a homeless dude who bummed a smoke off of me declined.

It’s funny because my tolerance for alcohol was out of this world when I drank. Little extra nicotine and my apple and banana almost reappeared.

I like that you called the hotline! Maybe I will one day! Unfiltered Camels are solid.


For me its all about the nicotine not the source (that is not to say that I do not enjoy the flavors and experiences of certain products).

But, I am all for the harm reduction school of thought (that nicotine should be legal, but people should be encouraged to try to switch to smokeless tobacco or nicotine products). And, no, I am not saying cigarettes should be banned (or even flavors). But, I think people who use tobacco regularly should consider or at least trying healthy alternatives. I personally am all for smoking in certain contexts (and I certainly get the appeal), but I just can't see myself doing it regularly. I view smoking as a vice to be enjoyed in moderation like a night out drinking and gambling (again that is my personal view).

I fully agree that casinos need to remain smoking. I personally think the AC design formula is fair (25% smoking 75% nonsmoking, and for the hotel section assigning smoking and nonsmoking floors), and most people seem to be happy with it (both smokers and nonsmokers have plenty of places to go). That being said it should be up to cities to decide, there should not be a Federal Mandate (and there is not, smoking, at least until Trump, has been a very State and local Level issue, with some States and cities being very strict, and still some places where you can smoke in schools and hospitals legally, of course most organizations have their own policies that they enforce for their buildings).
For example I currently live in a State with virtually no smoking ban, however, cities vote on regulating smoking locally (such as where I live). For example now Atlanta you cannot even smoke in the airport anymore as of January (that was their one loophole for a while, making it one of the last major airport in the U.S. where you could still smoke freely, I think you can still smoke in Vegas, at least in designated areas, unless it very recently changed due to COVID).
April 27th, 2021 at 6:09:45 PM permalink
odiousgambit
Member since: Oct 28, 2012
Threads: 154
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I found a pack of Camels laying on the sidewalk when I was maybe 10 and smoked them cautiously, I don't remember but I suspect I threw most of the pack away. I remember coughing like crazy trying to smoke one, but I already knew i liked it.

It was probably years before I smoked again.

I was offered chewing tobacco many times as a kid. They laughed if you got dizzy, "you swallowed it!". I couldn't understand that, as I was careful, but assumed they were right. Now I know the cheeks and gums are great for absorbing nicotine and I was just getting too big a dose.

Smoked cigarettes steadily from say 19 to 30 or so, haven't had a cigarette since. Still smoke the occasional good cigar, and the occasional 'cheroot' type, if you follow me. The latter after a spell of recreation in the woods, for the most part, oddly enough. No inhaling now, the discipline for that took a long time to develop.
I'm Still Standing, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah [it's an old guy chant for me]
April 27th, 2021 at 7:42:06 PM permalink
rxwine
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 188
Posts: 18631
Quote: Mission146

Smoking is my favorite way, but I could quit if I really wanted..


You ever smoke tobacco through a water pipe? Or is that essentially what vaping is now?
You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really?
April 27th, 2021 at 11:48:06 PM permalink
missedhervee
Member since: Apr 23, 2021
Threads: 96
Posts: 3092
I started smoking pot when I was fourteen or fifteen and never really stopped.

Tried puffing opiated hash (liked it) and brown tar heroin (only once: also liked it but had the smarts to say "never again").

Never bothered with smoking crack, or meth: no tweaker, me: just an old school stoner.
April 28th, 2021 at 7:13:59 AM permalink
Mission146
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Quote: Gandler
If I dip at all anymore its pouches. Loose tobacco is just too messy. I actually gag pretty easily, so if I dip loose its a whole process of packing it properly and positioning it properly (I always upper deck as it causes you to salivate and spit far less). A lot of people make fun of pouches, I don't care, I enjoy them (when I dip), and I enjoy not having a mouth full of loose chunks of tobacco when I remove it.


Renegades were like Bandits, but stronger. They were thicker and were also moistened, unlike bandits. I think the outside of them was coated with moistened dip that would somehow dissolve.

I went bottom shelf with dip and Renegades. That was the main reason I liked the Skoal Long Cut Mint, (the cherry one I can't remember was also long cut) it doesn't really get in your teeth and stays together well. I probably was hooked on nicotine in those days, but now not so much. If I start to get tired, then it's usually hot tea that first comes to mind.

Quote:
But, I am all for the harm reduction school of thought (that nicotine should be legal, but people should be encouraged to try to switch to smokeless tobacco or nicotine products). And, no, I am not saying cigarettes should be banned (or even flavors). But, I think people who use tobacco regularly should consider or at least trying healthy alternatives. I personally am all for smoking in certain contexts (and I certainly get the appeal), but I just can't see myself doing it regularly. I view smoking as a vice to be enjoyed in moderation like a night out drinking and gambling (again that is my personal view).

I fully agree that casinos need to remain smoking. I personally think the AC design formula is fair (25% smoking 75% nonsmoking, and for the hotel section assigning smoking and nonsmoking floors), and most people seem to be happy with it (both smokers and nonsmokers have plenty of places to go). That being said it should be up to cities to decide, there should not be a Federal Mandate (and there is not, smoking, at least until Trump, has been a very State and local Level issue, with some States and cities being very strict, and still some places where you can smoke in schools and hospitals legally, of course most organizations have their own policies that they enforce for their buildings).
For example I currently live in a State with virtually no smoking ban, however, cities vote on regulating smoking locally (such as where I live). For example now Atlanta you cannot even smoke in the airport anymore as of January (that was their one loophole for a while, making it one of the last major airport in the U.S. where you could still smoke freely, I think you can still smoke in Vegas, at least in designated areas, unless it very recently changed due to COVID).


That's all reasonable, nothing wrong with encouraging people to ingest nicotine in a safer way. If by smokeless tobacco you mean dip, I don't think that's any safer...it's a pick your poison sort of thing.

We agree that this one should be local! Definitely cities and counties. I'll tell you what happened in one County when they outlawed it in bars and left it legal in gambling parlors...a bunch of bars closed and a bunch more gambling parlors opened!
"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen..let us give them all they want." William T. Sherman
April 28th, 2021 at 7:16:50 AM permalink
Mission146
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Quote: odiousgambit
I found a pack of Camels laying on the sidewalk when I was maybe 10 and smoked them cautiously, I don't remember but I suspect I threw most of the pack away. I remember coughing like crazy trying to smoke one, but I already knew i liked it.

It was probably years before I smoked again.

I was offered chewing tobacco many times as a kid. They laughed if you got dizzy, "you swallowed it!". I couldn't understand that, as I was careful, but assumed they were right. Now I know the cheeks and gums are great for absorbing nicotine and I was just getting too big a dose.

Smoked cigarettes steadily from say 19 to 30 or so, haven't had a cigarette since. Still smoke the occasional good cigar, and the occasional 'cheroot' type, if you follow me. The latter after a spell of recreation in the woods, for the most part, oddly enough. No inhaling now, the discipline for that took a long time to develop.


Definitely good on you for quitting! I probably should quit, but it's one of only a few things I genuinely like doing. I enjoy smoking; I drink caffeinated products because it's absolutely necessary if I want to remain out of bed for more than an hour.

The short cigars are good. Have you ever tried the cigarette-sized mini-cigars? I think Al Capones are a brand you might really like, Cognac dipped mini-cigars, but don't try them on my account. I'd be more than a little upset with myself if you got hooked, started smoking them as often as cigarettes and it was my fault!
"War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen..let us give them all they want." William T. Sherman
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