Do you think you are addicted to cigars?

[Robusto]

Do you consider yourself a cigar addict?
Or can you take them or leave them easily?

[Wildwood]

Not addicted yet, but can't leave them easily either!

A cigar for me is a time to relax and lose myself...usually on my own. It's a signal that it's "me-time", and also a bit of a celebration. I usually only have a cigar when I feel I've done a good/hard day's work, or I genuinely have something to celebrate...and I can usually find something!

Tend to view champagne in the same light...I really like it, but just as important for me is the fact that it signals I'm having a good time!

It's also important for me that I can get interested in something...i.e. it has some kind of history, or variation or mythos or something like that; another dimension.

So I look forward to a cigar, and really enjoy it when I have one - it's a time to unwind, lose myself and relax, makes me feel like I'm celebrating, and I can dream about Cuba, or cigar wrapper variations, or whatever. And frankly, I just love the taste of cigars!

Actually, the more I go on, the more I feel I may be an addict after all....

Wildwood

[Robusto]

I think I could have written word-for-word what you have posted here, Wildwood. I'll hold back and think on.

[Robusto]

I share every sentiment expressed there, Wildwood. I think about cigars on the days I don't smoke. I don't feel stupid saying this because I think it's a glorious habit to enjoy. It's not like a dope or harder drug habit because cigars aren't mind-altering, even if good ones bring on a great sense of well-being.

I have stopped smoking cigars before now for four years, but I don't want to renounce stogies because I think they are sticks that do me a lot of good.

They keep my slightly depressive nature in the positive zone, and like you, Wild, I like discovering the background to cigars. The civilisation, if you wish.

I have about four escape hatches through the Internet when I am at work, and this site is always visited when I get the chance to escape.

I think cigars are fundamental to me now. I think I'm a willing and quite unrepentant addict with a habit which is under control.

[RhiannonBW]

Having been a true addict to the terrible weed, smoking 40 marlboro a day between the ages of 16 and 26, I know what addiction is. Ten years after I kicked the cigarette habit I took up cigar smoking. Unlike cigarettes, which I can never touch again or I'll be back on the slippery slope, I can smoke cigars all week, such as when I'm on holiday, and then not touch them again for a few weeks and though I miss them, I don't go into major withdrawal symptoms.

It may be something to do with the way that the nicotine is absorbed differently when smoking cigars and cigarettes. Cigarettes = rapid high followed by rapid low, whereas cigar smoking is a much slower rate of nicotine absorption which doesn't seem to trigger the nicotine addiction in the same way. I know when I gave up cigarettes using nicotine patches, it did say on the accompanying leaflet that they helped kick nicotine addiction by avoiding instant highs and lows normally experienced when smoking a cigarette.

There are a few people I know who seem addicted to their 'cigars' (Hamlets - eewwwww!) but they inhale them as they would a cigarette.

Rhiannon

[smokiejoe]

I share every sentiment expressed there, Wildwood. I think about cigars on the days I don't smoke. I don't feel stupid saying this because I think it's a glorious habit to enjoy. It's not like a dope or harder drug habit because cigars aren't mind-altering, even if good ones bring on a great sense of well-being.

I have stopped smoking cigars before now for four years, but I don't want to renounce stogies because I think they are sticks that do me a lot of good.

They keep my slightly depressive nature in the positive zone, and like you, Wild, I like discovering the background to cigars. The civilisation, if you wish.

I have about four escape hatches through the Internet when I am at work, and this site is always visited when I get the chance to escape.

I think cigars are fundamental to me now. I think I'm a willing and quite unrepentant addict with a habit which is under control.

I agree with here with bry as i really do like cigars but i do feel i have a bit of controll as i fell i dont feel addicted to them as i crave like you would a ciggi,but i feel i cigar is a bit like a best freind,you can unwind with one and get totally relaxed and just chill,helps me have a good think when im smoking one too.does this make any sense to anyone.I had to add this one little bit so you could read,i dont know about any of you lot but i do get stressed when i know im going to run out of cigars but also i get really excited when a big bunch of cigars turn up on my door step and i cant wait to open them up and get to my workshop for a good smoke,out the way from everyone.....am i an addict to them,.

[Drewmidorn]

I love my cigars! I probably smoke between 1 and 3 a day usually things like the RASS, Partagas Series D no 4 or a Monte/Diplo no2 or a Cuaba Distinguidos... however I often have two or three days when i'm working away, burning the candle at both ends, when I am either in a venue, hotel, or airplane and there isn't the opportunity to smoke in a civilised relaxed manner. Some venues still have a cheeky smoking dressing room tucked away from the Health and Safety people and as long as I stay away from the singers when smoking the band don't care. Its much the same with long concentrated days in the studio... I often think i'd enjoy a cigar but the option is to stand out in the rain huddled by the door and cram a few puffs in ...much like a cigarette smoker... and there would be no pleasure in it. I don't even smoke in my own studio and I'm pretty damn liberal about smoking in the house

I think if you're smoking for pleasure and not having to stop important things to try and grab a drag you're doing ok... if you're a slave to the leaf i think the joy would be missing.

Have you often heard a cigarette smoker talking about the last great fag he had? The flavour? The burn? the contemplative silence? the way a Lambert and Butler King size is particularly suited to a vintage tesco value larger?

[Wildwood]

Have you often heard a cigarette smoker talking about the last great fag he had? The flavour? The burn? the contemplative silence? the way a Lambert and Butler King size is particularly suited to a vintage tesco value larger?

Absolutely, Drewmidorn...and beautifully put!

Wildwood

[Drewmidorn]

Rhiannon, I have a friend who refers to Hamlet (the tobacco product not the Danish Prince you understand) as brown cigarettes!

[RhiannonBW]

Someone once tried to convince me that a Hamlet was a superior cigar to a CAO Maduro Toro. Let me just say I had to call upon every ounce of manners and dignity that I possessed not to convey my sincere shock, surprise, snerking, etc. that such a mistake could be made.

But to return to the original posting, I had this thought: Obsession is not the same as addiction.

I am most definitely obsessed!

Rhiannon

[cohibaIV]

Do you consider yourself a cigar addict?
Or can you take them or leave them easily?

I don't think I am addicted to smoking cigars, as for me there has to be a certain time and place for smoking, for example I won't just pop out and try to grab a few puffs...I need to be relaxed and comfortable
And I don't smoke half as much in the winter as I do in the summer

My one addiction is collecting cigars, I am mad for it...

[Robusto]

I have been teaching all day today, and some of the kids are stroppy. As the last ones left my music room, I knew I needed a cigar on the way home. I have none in the car, so must divert to a Tesco's en route for some Villigers. I know one will make me feel better!

Rhiannon - I am obsessed, not addicted. Love it!

I smoked a Guantanamera (so-so) before our gig yesterday, and in the break, and after it. I smoked some of the way down, then hid it under my wheel arch, re-lit it, puffed it a while, hid it under the car again, etc... I guess I was being a cigarette smoker on a cigar! What the hell!

I did like it that people saw me smoking a stogie. I think I'm becoming an exhibitionist!

This site is beginning to remind me of my dear departed Dad who was in the Royal Artillery all his career, and who fought in WW2. He used to remember 'snout' stories about the troops and cigarettes. The best one involved a soldier lighting a cigarette over a latrine and exploding the gas which sent shit flying everywhere!

I feel I've written my first latrine-type post on here!

Drew, and others. I see RASS referred to frequently on here. Is that Ramon Allones Something Something?

I, too, love my cigars!

[Drewmidorn]

the something something stands for Specially Selected....its a great Robusto and my "go to cigar". Always got at least one of those in my travel humidor when I'm out and about.

[Robusto]

I love Ramon Allones so better try one of those.
I love Bolivar cigars, too. They have balls.

[SmokinCohibas]

Robusto you should try a Sancho Panza Belicosos and a Punch -Punch Punch too..
If u haven't yet.