A thread for the smoker

[Benner]

I get a little annoyed at the social outcast I seem to have now become because I smoke and I am happy to say I do (this is aimed at public in general and is not a pop at any members here).  So this thread is JUST for the smokers.  This has nothing to do with promoting smoking or arguing why or why not smoking is OK to do or not, so if you feel strongly about it please keep all comments to yourselves as I have started this thread for smokers to talk about smoking, not to defend our habit.  Every smoker knows the risks, we are told every time we light up, but that hasn't stopped us before so please don't try to convince us here - thank you.

So, smokers, I'm curious - what brand do you smoke and out of interest how much does a pack (if you do indeed smoke a pack) cost where you are?

For the past 7 years I have pretty much exclusively smoked Drum tobacco which I roll using Green Rizla's and Swan slimline filters.  As I am lazy  , I use a regular sized Rizla rolling machine and although I do look a bit of a berk at times, I find I get a better result with one of these.  Over here a 12.5g pouch of Drum costs a whopping £2.80-£3 ish, but that is much better than £6.10 on 20 Marlboro that I used to smoke (and do occasionally treat myself to  ).

Lighter is usually a petrol one of some sort and usually is a Zippo.  I just find the smell of petrol just adds to the experince for me.

So how about you guys?

[PyroJames]

I don't smoke cigarettes.  I tried them out when I was a teen but didn't like it very much.  However, I do smoke cigars.   

[Benner]

What's your brand buddy?

I very occasionally have one, Hamlet usually, however I do have a big bugger here that I have had since I was 18 just waiting to be fired up.

[PyroJames]

My all-time favourites would probably be Cuban Partagas D4 and Montecristo No. 2 but for quick smokes, Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleur is my EDC (Everyday Cigar)

[DaveK]

So this thread is JUST for the smokers. 

Discrimination 

I'm gonna post anyway

I smoked Marlboro Lights (or Marlboro Gold as they were suddenly called one morning recently), which I started when I moved to France and found I couldn't get Embassy Number 1 any more!

Zippo lighter(s) (completely agree about the smell of the petrol).

[Medic82]

I am a former smoker that don’t miss it but I will be happy to share my smoking years with you.

I started out smoking cigarettes, Prince Light that is a Danish brand but after a few months I converted to Lucky Strike. When I was in the military I smoked a tobacco called Petterøe’s blanding 3 that I rolled in Big Ben paper.
As of now the price for a pack of 20 cigarettes cost around 14,50 $ while 50 grams of tobacco cost 34$.

I do however still smoke a cigar on the rare occasion and then it’s a Macanudo.

But smoking could not and never will be as addictive as smokeless tobacco, or snus as it’s called in Norway. Nothing beats the smell of a brand new box of snus and the feeling of a nicely backed snus in your upper lip……GOD I miss snus. Snus cost around 13$ for a box.

If I’m ever going to start smoking again I will without a doubt start smoking a pipe.

[Medic82]

I smoked Marlboro Lights (or Marlboro Gold as they were suddenly called one morning recently)

I believe that it was a EU rule that was implimented in 2002 that said you no longer could say a brand of cigarettes was Light or Milde

[John]

Is this thread legal?  

[Benner]

So this thread is JUST for the smokers. 

I smoked Marlboro Lights (or Marlboro Gold as they were suddenly called one morning recently)

I believe that it was a EU rule that was implimented in 2002 that said you no longer could say a brand of cigarettes was Light or Milde

I never knew that. 

[PyroJames]

I love Macanudo.  I used to smoke them alot when I first began to smoke but haven't in recent years.  This brand is still probably in my top 10 of favourite non-Cuban brands.

[AHB]

Kenneth's right.. I remember when the brand Prince turned from Light to White..  

[DaveK]

I smoked Marlboro Lights (or Marlboro Gold as they were suddenly called one morning recently)

I believe that it was a EU rule that was implimented in 2002 that said you no longer could say a brand of cigarettes was Light or Milde

It comes into force across the whole of the EU in a couple of months apparently - the name only changed a few weeks ago here in the UK. They're trying to standardise advertising and health warnings across EU member countries apparently - which could get interesting when the French are told to do it

Prince Lights? Are they the ones that are supposedly "additive free" or something?

[specgrade]

 I started smoking around the age of 13 and quit at the age of 30. I smoked Marlboro lights a long time and switched to Doral ultra-lights for the remaining years I smoked. I used whatever Bic lighter I had in my pocket at the time. I did carry a Zippo for a short time, maybe a year or two.

 I quit in 2000 and I couldn't care less if others smoke around me. The hardest part was sitting in a bar or driving my car, do da do da.  

 Smoke'em if ya got got'em!

[ducktapehero]

I started smoking when I was about 16. I had chewed tobacco for years before that but I came from a small town and even buying Levi Garrett at the tender age of 10 wasn't a problem. I assume the grocers thought I was buying it for my Dad.

Anyway, I was 16 and was getting hot and heavy dating this uber hot 15 year old girl from another school but she wouldn't kiss me when I chewed so I got to smoking when I was around her. Then from age 16 to 18 or so I was smoking Camel non-filters and chewing Levi Garrett plug both. I stopped chewing at 18 or so and switched to Camel filters and I smoked those for years. Then I started smoking menthols and now I have ended up smoking Marlboro Green 72's. They're OK, not great but I can get a carton of them for $26. I'm lucky that my state has some of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation.

Although I have rolled my own on occasion. They are fine but it's a pain in the butt. But I have been researching electric cigarette makers and may try one of them. Any chance to save money and get cigarettes that are custom suited to my taste makes DTH happy.

[Gareth]

I'm an infrequent smoker these days but I have a long love affair with the habit.   By far and away my most common smoke was Golden Virginia and green Rizla papers, but I've also been know to smoke Cafe Creme and other cigars and, for a short time, a clay pipe.   You do get some lovely smelling pipe tobacco.

[Benner]

Anyone know of any decent tobacco tins/boxes?  Have used the cheapie ones but they don't last long before the lids go and you lose a pouch in your pocket.

[TJx]

I was about a pack a day Camel Light smoker up until I quit on July 15th of this year, the carpet glue they are putting in to make them Fire Safe (FSC) helped motivate me.
I'm gonna be honest, it is HARD. The craving just isn't easing up, I thought I heard it can take a year. No job, no money I'm sure doesn't help with the stress level either.
About 6 weeks in I tried the e cigarettes. I bought the semi disposable that lasts about 4-5 daily charges, I didn't even finish what I had, it did absolutely nothing for me, no buzz, nothing, and I was using the strongest version. Just a gimmick IMHO.
I promise to not be a anti-smoking Nazi, I envy you guys.

[ducktapehero]

One thing that makes me happy is that now I'm off methadone my smoking has slowed down considerably. The goal is to get to about 3-5 cigs a day. My Mom smokes a cigarette about once a week or so. Her cigarettes go stale before she can finish a pack.

[Benner]

I gave up in the end looking for a decent, new tobacco tin where the lid doesn't come off and settled for a really good conditioned, round (I like round ones), vintage tin that you need to use a coin to open (it's a Balkan Sobranie for those in the know).  It's amazing how cheap these things are and just what is around.

I do fear what I may have started though 

[Neil]

Is that something else I need to look for at the car boots then Ben?

[Benner]

No! 


(yes please)

[Neil]

You might have to wait until next year now, the season is all but done.

[Benner]

I expect that's a blessing TBH.  Look whhat happened to me and lighters 

[Neil]

Better you than me

[Benner]

Yeah thanks - pusher 

[Neil]

I really must find a way to monetise this addiction now I've set it in place

[Benner]

Start growing "Neil Bee's extra flavoursome Shag tobacco" in your garden and start putting your face on a bunch of crappy merchandise and you can mug me for all I own. 

[cerbera147]

Another former smoker here as well   

Stopped in 2005; IIRC 20 Regal King Size were about £4.60ish. I never could smoke the 'cheaper' brands of Mayfair or Lambert & Butler. Roll ups were just out of the question    Too strong and too much effort involved 

When I started 10 Regal King Size was about £1.20  Not sure what the going rate is now, may be double or triple 

I made the decision to stop after my second little 'un was born; financially I couldn't have kept up to it  I knew the price was always going to go up and the gov would eventually limit where you can smoke; which has now happened 

I'm not a reformed smoker on a crusade against smokers; couldn't give a monkeys Have to say that it is nice to come home from a night out and not stink of smoke 
Just back from a weekend in Benidorm where I quickly realised smoking is not banned in pubs, clubs, etc. Felt really weird and of course all my clothes stink now lol.

Apparently Spain is one of the last smokers' paradises in Western Europe and they keep delaying the inevitable public place ban.

[Benner]

You should have switched to rollies mate - far cheaper and you could have had the smokes AND the family 

Roll ups are a better smoke as well IMO.  I originally switched for price reasons, but now even if roll ups were more expensive I'd still chose it as it is a nicer smoke (by a long way).

[cerbera147]

Could have been that I wasn't rolling them right