Had my first cigar about 4 years ago, thanks to a good buddy of mine....then I just sort of "occasionally" smoked b/c I didn't really know anyone else who did. Then bigliver and I rolled into a B&M in Omaha and I smoked a few on his reccomendation, and picked up the one that got me started....a VSG. I guess from there I just realized I can enjoy a cigar all by my lonesome, anytime, anywere. But the slope?? I guess I blame all of YOU! I did the CC thing to myself, though, that was all me.