Have you ever considered giving up cigars?

[MedicCook]

I am more likely to give up buying food than give up cigars. Oh wait I already do that now.

[Genetic Defect]

yes

[MedicCook]

For me I don't even care about the health issue. We are all going to die at some point and I am not going to stop doing the only thing I have left to enjoy in my life because it may cause health issues later in life. Look at George Burns, the guy smoked all the time and he lived to be 100 years old.

[smokeyandthebandit05]

No I havent considered giving up cigars. I dont smoke that much to begin with, as most of its done during the warm months and even then its 1 maybe 2 a day if Im relaxing up at the lake. At the rate Im goin I have enough sticks to last 3 years lol

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by smokeyandthebandit05

No I havent considered giving up cigars. I dont smoke that much to begin with, as most of its done during the warm months and even then its 1 maybe 2 a day if Im relaxing up at the lake. At the rate Im goin I have enough sticks to last 3 years lol

My ultimate goal is one a week or so and eliminate that daily stuff.
Just thinking a break will be good until I can start that regimen.

[smokeyandthebandit05]

Originally Posted by Blueface

My ultimate goal is one a week or so and eliminate that daily stuff.
Just thinking a break will be good until I can start that regimen.

I know what u mean. When I first started I would get little things on the inside of my cheeks. They were like little I dont know how to describe them but were like small skin tags that were filled with blood. I was worried but then I would get them even if I didnt smoke. I think I get them in my sleep and accidentally bite my cheeks. Im good friends with my dentist his family and the other dentists at the office and he smokes cigars. Are they bad for you? Probably but Ive never heard of someone dying due to cigar related cancers, its always lung cancer from cigarettes and jaw/esophagus from chewin tobacco. The one a week thing will be good because you will be able to look forward to the relaxation and everything that goes along with cigar smoking.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by smokeyandthebandit05

I know what u mean. When I first started I would get little things on the inside of my cheeks. They were like little I dont know how to describe them but were like small skin tags that were filled with blood. I was worried but then I would get them even if I didnt smoke. I think I get them in my sleep and accidentally bite my cheeks. Im good friends with my dentist his family and the other dentists at the office and he smokes cigars. Are they bad for you? Probably but Ive never heard of someone dying due to cigar related cancers, its always lung cancer from cigarettes and jaw/esophagus from chewin tobacco. The one a week thing will be good because you will be able to look forward to the relaxation and everything that goes along with cigar smoking.

Not worried about those types of health concerns.
Heck, my primary care physician loves to see me in his office.
I take him Cuban cigars. He is an avid cigar smoker and enjoys the ones I give him.
Needless to say, I never, ever, ever have a problem getting in to see him.

When I say "health" I am referring more to the way I seem to be feeling after I have a cigar and this all seems to be in the last month and a half or so.
Perhaps attributed to a cold that both the wife and I have had linger. That may be the real underlying root cause.

[cbsmokin]

Originally Posted by Blueface

My ultimate goal is one a week or so and eliminate that daily stuff.
Just thinking a break will be good until I can start that regimen.

Bingo! We have a winner. I am not a daily smoker and I can't see myself being a daily smoker either. I am mostly a fair weather smoker. I think if you just slow way down you will find a balance. Also, a great side affect is it makes aging your sticks a lot easier to accomplish.

[Seanohue]

I'm feeling the same way Carlos; I haven't bought cigars in a year and a half, I only smoke at herfs (the last one being in October), and I'm not logged into CA all day like I used to be. Could just be the winter blues for me though.

[SmokeyJoe]

Not really... I generally smoke one or two a week. Exception would be when I get together with other inmates (maybe once a month?) and do 3-5, depending on how long of an evening we have.

Nothing says you have to smoke 3-a-day to be a cigar smoker. Sounds like a little break might be what the doctor ordered - no pun intended.

Take care, Carlos - and be healthy.

I've considered giving it up over the course of 40 years and actually went about 2 years without a cigar,,,but eventually come back because I always enjoyed it and it relaxes me. I figure after this much time if it was going to affect my health it would have already done something. I don't plan on living forever so I will continue my slide and they can stick a cigar in both ends when I go,,,,,talk about goin up in smoke!

[Mugen910]

Yep...the first time I tried to run 3 miles after a long long break this year I kept thinking...WTF...I need to stop smoking cigars...then I got home and smacked myself for such blasphemy!

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Mugen910

Yep...the first time I tried to run 3 miles after a long long break this year I kept thinking...WTF...I need to stop smoking cigars...then I got home and smacked myself for such blasphemy!

You guys are cracking me up.

[Mugen910]

Originally Posted by Blueface

You guys are cracking me up.

It's even worse that I blamed smoking and not my inability to stop eating fatty foods.

[ucla695]

I’ve never really considered it. I’ve been smoking cigars since the mid 90’s and took a break for several years somewhere in between, but my passion was quickly rekindled. I can go weeks without having a cigar, but I always look forward to the next one. Since this thing of ours is supposed to be pleasurable, I’d take some time off and see where it takes you.

Only when i look in my wallet lol.

Honestly, not really I find it relaxing it's not anywhere as bad to my wallet as other hobbies. I really enjoy it it's social at times private at others always enjoyable.

[Nick]

I gave up cigars for pipes, but I can't see myself giving up my pipe anytime soon. Cigars did seem to affect me more the next day than pipes do. I can smoke 3 or 4 bowls in one day and the next day I feel like 100 dollars. Of course I don't inhale at all, I don't know if you do.

[Made in Dade]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Last time I recall feeling this way involved cigarettes.
That was 1987.
I use to smoke between one and two packs a day.
Gave it up cold turkey, never to look back.

I am starting to get the same feelings as I had for cigarettes.
Actually, starting is a bad word.
More like I have the same feelings.

I have only smoked three cigars so far this month, with the latest being yesterday. Prior to that, two weeks ago.

For me, that is rare as I can smoke as many as I want as I work from home and have great weather. Up to December, I was averaging between 1 to 2 a day. Suddenly, no mas.

I tried one yesterday. A Boli CE. Truly can say I enjoyed it. Just didn't seem to enjoy me. Spent the night coughing a bit. Feel like I have that bronchitis feeling again from when I was a kid. Just seems that all of a sudden, they don't go well with me.

All this bothers me as I truly enjoy cigars.
I enjoy getting together with folks and sharing cigars.
I enjoy the times when dad, my son and I enjoy a cigar together.
I think I am going to try to avoid them for a while and see how things go.
Maybe my body is telling me to back off and maybe I should listen.

Hope I can handle the St. Valentine's Day/Real Man Herf.

This sucks to hear Carlos. Just take a couple weeks off and I'm sure you will feel better. We have too much fun smokin cigars with you.

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Last time I recall feeling this way involved cigarettes.
That was 1987.
I use to smoke between one and two packs a day.
Gave it up cold turkey, never to look back.

I am starting to get the same feelings as I had for cigarettes.
Actually, starting is a bad word.
More like I have the same feelings.

I have only smoked three cigars so far this month, with the latest being yesterday. Prior to that, two weeks ago.

For me, that is rare as I can smoke as many as I want as I work from home and have great weather. Up to December, I was averaging between 1 to 2 a day. Suddenly, no mas.

I tried one yesterday. A Boli CE. Truly can say I enjoyed it. Just didn't seem to enjoy me. Spent the night coughing a bit. Feel like I have that bronchitis feeling again from when I was a kid. Just seems that all of a sudden, they don't go well with me.

All this bothers me as I truly enjoy cigars.
I enjoy getting together with folks and sharing cigars.
I enjoy the times when dad, my son and I enjoy a cigar together.
I think I am going to try to avoid them for a while and see how things go.
Maybe my body is telling me to back off and maybe I should listen.

Hope I can handle the St. Valentine's Day/Real Man Herf.

I think quitting is beneficial.

I haven't smoked with regularity since 2004-2005 (somewhere in that range). The few cigars I have now, I truly enjoy for the great pleasures they bring outside of the flavors.

As life turns another page, I'll find myself reverting to once again relying on the pleasures of the different flavors, isolating them, and enhancing those I like in the selection of what I smoke. With that, I'll increase the the frequency of my smoking.

It's all cyclical. Its natural for you, or anyone, to go through peaks and valleys in hobbies and pleasures. Enjoy every aspect of it as much as you can.

And as far as smoking buddies, hell, you could light up a cremosa and they'd stick by your side (with a small breathing distance of course). Its about the people and what the bring to the table, not the sticks. I haven't been what I would consider an active cigar smoker for years, yet there are at least 2 or 3 people on these boards who still acknowledge me.

[Blueface]

Well, hump day is here.
Haven't had one since Sunday.
When looking back at the last quarter of last year, no way I could have done that. I longed for at least one a day.

Easy week so far as no cravings.
I do feel my chest a whole lot better than I did on Monday.
That lingering head congestion seems to have cleared up.
My goal is to make it through the next two weekends and see how the herf goes on 2/14, then see if I can stay away for a bit more as planned.