Average Cigar Obsession Duration

[zepp69]

I smoke two to three a day... Morning with coffee. Lunch break and sometimes after work if my wife, who is an ER doctor is working..

[zepp69]

Just now, zepp69 said:

I smoke two to three a day... Morning with coffee. Lunch break and sometimes after work if my wife, who is an ER doctor is working..

So I am obsessed yes.. addicted..probably.

[Santiago]

Comes in waves.  As long as I have occasions to relax and/or celebrate, the 'obsession' lives

[ErikB]

Started smoking dutch cigars in the early nineties , then began smoking cuban cigars in '95 and that was it , I was hooked. I will slow down , but never stop.


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[madandana]

Always interested in cigars. Started smoking swisher sweets as a young kid. (Once in a while), then on to NC in my 20s/30s. Found Cubans around 10 years ago. I never lose interest, hope never to. My wife, kids, parents love my cigars, my stories about cigars and the friends we've meet world wide. My neighbor gal even likes the smell when it drifts over. Says it reminds her of her grandfather.

[Bartolomeo]

Started smoking back in August 2009, my hobby before that was Tour golf clubs and Scotty Cameron putters, put that on the back burner to focus on this obsession, only reason to quit cigars will be health related I am guessing, wife knew the deal when we were dating and got married

[vinnyvega]

11 years going.  I have slowed down dramatically.  Maybe a couple a month.   But I got this thing called an 18 month old daughter who takes up a lot of time.  

Doctor gives me the thumbs up on 2-3 cigars a week.

I love cigars.

[Fugu]

11 hours ago, Riverstyx said:

How long do you think it is for the average person to lose their cigar obsession due to things like boredom, no $, health, wife, etc?

I fear, those that have given up are less likely to chime in here....

5 hours ago, cigcars said:

I've been a life long tobacco lover since I was in my single digit years - mind you I didn't actually smoke, I just enjoyed the aroma from my uncle's pipe.

Funny, exactly the same for me. Though later in my teenage years I started with the pipe myself, as I couldn't afford "real" cigars. But smoked the occasional dry Dutch-type cigar with buddies early on (fond memories of smoking small cigars under a highway bridge in Holland on a racing bike tour suffering days of permanent rain, we were soaking wet, but - and I don't know why - that cigar tremendously cheered up our mood....). After a brief hiatus when time and money were short, I started with NCs and CCs in my mid twenties (but no more than a celebratory one or two a month).

Good tobacco is and will be a life-long "vice" of mine, and I do hope I will always be able to afford and enjoy it in good health. I do think those that experienced some kind of smoking-culture (and with that I mean pipe or cigar) in their family when growing up are the ones that are going to stick with it longer-term, but are much less prone to suffer addicition. But that might be my personal, slightly biased view perhaps...

[JohnS]

I believe the three main reasons for giving up cigars are health concerns, divorce and finance (i.e. needing monies for debts or not able to afford the habit as before). It's usually not the cigars themselves, interestingly.

[zeedubbya]

Started off on NCs when I was a teenager, my cousin (who owns a nice shop in Florida now), used to call cigar companies in Miami and pretend to be some man mad about his cigars he received from a mail order company. There was a brand called Chavelo cigars who used to fall for it all the time and send cigars addressed to Mr. Ainwep and Mr. Treybore all the time.

Had a small collection of mostly Lusis, D4s and RG Lonsdales from 2001-2008--sold most off to pay bills during recession. Wasn't an obsession then. Just every once in awhile.

Jumped back in around 2012 and it became more of an obsession. To stay disciplined I keep my cigar budget separate from household. I only cross into it when I find a super super deal, but I generally pay it back quickly. Have enough to keep me and friends smoking for a long long time. Don't anticipate getting out of it again.

Footnote: If I were single with no kids, no wife I would spend 10x what I do now. But I wouldn't make that trade with anyone...


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[maxcjs0101]

0.01 seconds right after getting a cancer diagnosis from the doctor.

[BellevilleMXZ]

24 minutes ago, Weaponiz'd1 said:

That's when you cut back, Max? 

I increased my desire after my diagnosis. Keep in mind, non respiratory or mouth/throat cancer. It was a supposed easy win, so I decided to begin to live...after a few dark months. 

 

Agree 100%

[spivey6690]

Cancer survivor here.  Brain.  No medical link to cigars, so I'll keep smoking my 3-4 per day.  I always tell doc I smoke the occasional cigar.  I mean, that's relative, right?  

[DBNInc]

Some people had members of the family who introduced or exposed them to smoking, which tends to lead to a lifelong hobby, even if it's only a couple of cigars per month, or year.

Of those that jump in on their own, I believe intensity of obsession and longevity has a lot to do with having one or more "perfect cigar experiences" within the first few months to a year, then periodically thereafter.  By "perfect cigar," I mean a cigar that lights easily, doesn't go out when it's forgotten for a few minutes, has a great draw with tons of smoke, and some distinct flavors that the person finds enjoyable (extra points if it's in the company of other amicable smokers). If the person smokes these cigars during memorable events, or with people important to them, even better.  They can then 'chase' that moment again, which helps get them through the possible hassles of beginning in the hobby:

- Finding time, and a suitable place, to smoke

- Running into cigars with terrible construction, or which they don't enjoy the flavors of

- Purchasing accoutrements, means of storage, humidification devices, etc

- Maintaining proper temperature and humidification levels

- The occasional beetle outbreak

In the absence of these "perfect cigars", they may become frustrated, possibly sell their remaining stock of cigars and related items to give up smoking altogether, or switch to special occasion smokers.  They may say things like, "I just don't get it" or "they didn't do it for me."

I may be completely wrong, but it's what came to mind.

[HabanosNJGuy]

My first cigar was in October 1996 after the Yankees won the World Series.  It was a  Leon Jimenes and it was amazing.  Smoked a lot while in college.  Frequency waxed and waned over the years from only a couple a year to a couple a month.  Had the occasional Cuban which for the most part were great (mostly Cohibas and Monte).  No doubt some were fake.  Mostly NC until last Fall when on a cruise we stopped in Cozumel.  Found a local shop and bought about 10 singles.  They were way overpriced and I knew nothing about Habanos SA or LCDH. The shop I found was not a LCDH. (Still kick myself for that one.)  I had no idea what I was doing but I ended picking out some winners: HdM E#2, RASS, Siglo III, Short Churchill, ERDM CS, Monty No.3.  I soon found Dr. Joe's show and online vendors before landing here.  What was an occasional indulgence quickly became a raging obsession.  I have a bunch of NC that I rarely touch.  When I do smoke one I realize why that's the case.

 I smoke one cigar a day at night after the kids go to bed.  Sometimes two in summer when I'm at the beach.  The hardest part is convincing myself that I don't need that box that I never would buy otherwise if it wasn't on 24:24 with the pictures and descriptions.  Tonight's example was La Punta.  I'm glad they sold out before my hands reflexively emailed Diana.  My coolidor is getting full but I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.  My wife has stopped bugging me and seems to accept that it makes me happy. Who knows?

[Riverstyx]

Thanks everyone.  Anyone have any cigar buddies/acquaintances give up after a few years due to boredom?

[garbandz]

we discussed this last night in our weekly cigar get together, which has been going on for 19 years so far.

 

an addictive personality, coupled with a short attention span, could explain why some folks dive in headfirst and then abandon cigars in a couple of years.

 

[zepp69]

I plan on smoking and collecting and enjoying for as long as the Good Lord allows me to. Love the friendships and brotherhood that goes along with the hobby.

[shaffer22]

I've been smoking cigars for about 10 years now. While my collection and rate of smoking has varied, I've never stopped!

[PapaDisco]

On 9/27/2017 at 1:33 PM, zepp69 said:

So I am obsessed yes.. addicted..probably.

less than five cigars a day is considered moderate in the Surgeon General's report.  

[smokum]

On 9/27/2017 at 8:33 AM, Riverstyx said:

How long do you think it is for the average person to lose their cigar obsession due to things like boredom, no $, health, wife, etc?  I know most here are probably life-long aficionados and expect to continue to be, but what has been your experience with those that have given up the sport?  5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Or are most in it for the long haul?

 

I have been through all of the things you listed,boredom, health, money and wives and I can happily say my cigars are still here.

[GotaCohiba]

I didn’t lose it, but rather had to walk away for a while due to a downturn in our local economy

[Blazer]

For me I was heavily into the hobby (obsessed) for about 4 years going from no humidors to 5 of them. I read every cigar blog, website, forum, even had a Google news alert for the word "Cigar." I've had some pretty significant health problems this year with my last cigar smoked this past January. I still keep up with it by quickly dropping into a forum or two, but the obsession has pretty clearly dissipated. I'm sure when and God forbid "if" I can start enjoying them again the obsession will return. For now I am just living vicariously through all of you.

[MahDooRow]

On September 27, 2017 at 10:51 AM, GrouchoMarx said:

When they pry my cutter and lighter from my cold, clammy hands. 

This ^.  

 

On September 27, 2017 at 7:56 PM, Fugu said:

I fear, those that have given up are less likely to chime in here....

And this ^.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.  AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!  HO HO HO.