Smoking A Pipe Is A Thoughtful Act, Not An Afterthought

The oldest form of tobacco smoking is also the most commonly overlooked by modern day smokers. Though cigarettes now dominate the market, pipe smoking offers much more richness of flavor and an overall better experience. The decline of the practice probably has more to do with the pace of modern life than anything else. Smoking Briar Pipes, the most common kind of pipe, requires a certain amount of attention and is conducive to periods of rest and relaxation. Cigarettes, on the other hand, can be smoked with zero preparation or forethought. This convenience is responsible for elevated tobacco use among individuals, and has had the unfortunate effect of appealing to the youth.

Pipe smoking, in sharp contrast, appeals to a more cultured class of smoker and tends to engender a more responsible intake of tobacco. In order to properly smoke a pipe, it is necessary to follow a certain ritual including packing the pipe, lighting it, and cleaning it afterwards. This little ritual is often cited as an especially appealing aspect of the practice by pipe smokers because it requires a certain attention to detail and has a calming effect. The entire process of smoking a pipe causes a person to slow down. This tends to increase enjoyment and induce a certain amount of reflection.

Moreover, there are thousands of specialized pipe tobacco blends that supply flavors unavailable in any other form. Cigarette smokers, by contrast, are limited to a handful of brands that are all quite similar. The richness of Smoking Briar Pipes is in an altogether different class. Take the smoke itself, for example. Cigarette smoke is generally considered to be a nuisance and to smell bad. Pipe smoke, on the other hand, is nostalgic and conjures up images of beloved grandfathers and Norman Rockwell scenes.

Anyone who is serious about pipe smoking will most likely take great pride in the pipe itself. There are many materials used in pipe manufacture, but by far the most popular is briar wood. This material comes from the burl of the erica arborea, or tree heath, native to the mediterranean basin. This wood is hard, resistant to fire, and easily absorbs water - which is a byproduct of burning. The wood is also conducive to carving and can be finished in a variety of ways.


Pipe smokers tend to take a more contemplative view of smoking. They are likely to choose their pipe based on the artistry of construction as well the feel of it. For them, smoking is a thoughtful act, not an afterthought. While there continues to be much ado about the dangers of smoking, the real danger is over-smoking thanks to the instant gratification of cigarettes. While there are still risks associated with pipe smoking, the experience tends to be altogether more contemplative and less impulsive. Younger smokers would be well advised to eschew instant gratification and see what they've been missing by Smoking Briar Pipes.