![]() ![]() Some are cased and coated with flavorings of rum, vanilla, chocolate, or licorice-called Cavendish tobaccos-while others are straight. Different strains produce different flavors, as do different curing and cutting methods. These vary not only in kind, but also in how they are cultivated, cured, and cut. Conveniently, smoking encourages such contemplation and appreciation.ĭid you know there are American, Danish, and Oriental pipe tobaccos? There are Virginia, Maryland, and Burley tobaccos, Latakia, Perique, and Turkish. This means thinking critically about the tobacco propaganda that pervades modern culture, listening to your body and developing an appreciation for the plant, and learning of tobacco’s history-for good measure. The key to getting the most from tobacco is to approach it thoughtfully. That story about it being more difficult to kick than heroin is a lie. Speaking of propaganda, tobacco is about as addictive as black coffee. One institution kills with their propaganda while the other robs with the same. The latter have convinced people to avoid this psychoactive plant altogether, while Big Tobacco lures folks into irresponsible use and harmful addiction. Most people are ignorant to tobacco’s benefits, though, thanks to two sources of misinformation: advertising from cigarette makers, and anti-smoking campaigns. All this combines for a ceremonial relationship with one of earth’s unique plants, which is good for the soul. Cigars and pipes encourage exploration of the palate in the same way wines, beers, spirits, cheeses, chocolates, coffees, and teas do. Also, cigar and pipe smoke is not inhaled, so you can maintain your abilities to breathe. These methods of smoking are more ritualistic, burn longer, and produce more flavors as well as a longer lasting nicotine high. If you’re going to employ tobacco in pursuit of a richer life it must be through a cigar or pipe. They provide only the illusion of satiation, the semblance of satisfaction. It obliterates the sensibilities and encourages gorging on exaggerated and obtuse flavors.Ĭigarettes, to conclude the analogy, are the fast food of tobacco. ![]() ![]() The other, Mickey D’s, does the opposite. One better commands a person’s faculties, encourages him or her to savor the moment, to more sincerely attend to all internal goings-on, and so has greater capacity to produce an elevating, enjoyable experience. Though both meals are comprised primarily of cooked cow and common tubers, one is clearly more pleasing to the senses. But, semantics aside, consider the simple fact that the presentation of a thing shapes the experience of it.įor example, no sensible person would argue that a McDonald’s hamburger and fries is more enjoyable than roast tenderloin and potatoes. You may think I’m quibbling over semantics here-about the differences between enjoyment, stimulation, relief, and so on. And prior to addiction, a cigarette isn’t enjoyable as much as it is stimulating. The only enjoyment-if it can be called that-is relief from nicotine withdrawal. They burn for only five minutes, eradicate the flavors of tobacco through a cellulose filter, and produce a nicotine buzz that lasts a scant few seconds. So let’s briefly consider the ole cancer stick before moving on to those other instruments of tobacco consumption, namely, the cigar and pipe.Ĭigarettes, by design, do not induce an enjoyable experience. And, if you use tobacco, cigarettes are the most likely form by which you do. But cigarettes are what most people think of when discussions of tobacco arise. Filtered cigarettes are to tobacco what McDonald’s is to food: cheap, bland, artificial, addictive, initially intoxicating and ultimately, unsatisfying.Ĭonsequently, they’re hardly the ideal means for enjoying tobacco and self. I’m not suggesting you go out and buy a pack of Camels or Kools and light up. And tobacco, smoked properly, is one simple way to do so. So, until it does, you might as well enjoy yourself. And unless you’re one of those rare humans who has the temerity to off yourself, you don’t know when or how your day will come. ![]() Hell, drink too much water and you can die of poisoning. So can red meat, refined sugar, iodized salt, modern highways, corporate jobs, prescribed medicines, falling trees, and stray bullets. ![]()
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