Food and Drug Administration   [Docket No. FDA–2009–N–0294]
Regulation of Tobacco Products;  Extension of Comment Period

The Federal Food and Drug Administration  (FDA) needs to hear from you!
The agency is currently asking for the  public's opinion and comments to
help the agency develop its regulations  to police and oversee the U.S.
tobacco industry. While cigars and pipe  tobacco are not currently
included in the Family Smoking Prevention and  Tobacco Control Act, they
may ultimately be brought under FDA  regulation.  Your comments are
needed before December 28th.

Go to http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home
<http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home>

Find the topic Regulation of Tobacco Products; Extension of Comment
Period
<http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=09000\
06480a34db4>

and add your comment using the (a bit convoluted) web-based "submit a
comment"
You can browse the topic and read some of the material related to the
Tobacco Act.
Some suggested response items for you to comment are:

- Pipe tobacco does not  pose the same public health concerns as the
tobacco products outlined  for regulation. FDA needs to recognize this
important distinction as it implements the Tobacco Act.
- Pipe tobaccos are manufactured and marketed to adults as  they are
premium tobacco and should remain as a legal adult choice  product.
- Kids don't smoke tobacco pipes; pipe smoking is an adult activity;
there has not been a single study that has indicated any issue with kids
smoking pipe tobacco.
- Pipe consumers have the right to purchase and enjoy  flavored premium
products just as they have the right to purchase and  consume flavored
alcoholic spirits and other flavored alcoholic  products. For centuries,
pipe tobacco has been flavored to create a wide  variety of taste
profiles enjoyed by adults.
In summary, pipe tobacco should be exempted from any further regulation
beyond FDA manufacturing controls and ingredient safety.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The group has been quiet lately and I'm rather surprised no one has written
  anything about the NY Times editorial of a few days ago.  Editorial
reproduced with my "Letter to the Editor" below it.

===


November 22, 2009
<NYT>Edit
<NYT>Roll Your Own Tax
<

There are no records kept on how fast loopholes can be uncovered in new
federal law, but the roll-your-own tobacco industry is making a breathtaking
run  for this year’s shabby laurels. No sooner had President Obama signed the
new  children’s health insurance law last spring than the industry pried
open a  lucrative escape from the 20-fold tax increase levied on roll-your-own
  cigarettes to help support the program.
Companies simply remarketed roll-your-own as “pipe tobacco,” which is
taxed  at one-tenth the rate and is not subject to any definitive distinction
under the  law. The result is that roll-your-own companies, while a small part
of the  cigarette industry, quintupled their output of pipe tobacco in just
five months  to 1.7 million pounds — enough to roll 42 million packs of
cigarettes.
The evasion could cost the government more than $30 million a month in
revenues, according to the Associated Press. But the potential cost to the
public is far greater, since studies show higher cigarette taxes have proved to
  be an effective way to discourage children from smoking.
The new fear is that the gimmickry of rolling your own and using flavored  (
“pipe”) tobacco — now banned in packaged cigarettes — could prove
irresistible  for youngsters experimenting with life. And with death.
Obviously the new law is in urgent need of a no- nonsense amendment to
bring roll-your-own under proper federal controls and full taxation. The
companies plead they merely found a way to save their industry from taxes so
prohibitive as to force them to close. That’s not a bad idea, given the public
health findings about lethal smoking. But the companies’ gambit — the
pretense  of marketing pipe tobacco — is an outright deception.
Retailers are winking as they peddle pipe tobacco along with cigarette
papers. This is not what President Obama and Congress had in mind in acting to
bolster the health of young people. What’s the record for shutting a
loophole?

===

My response, unpublished of course:

Dear Editor,

Your Nov. 21st Editorial about roll-your-own pipe  tobacco being sold for
cigarettes absolutely reeks of hypocrisy.

You speak of $30 million a month being "lost" while never  mentioning that
smokers are still paying well over a hundred times that amount  each month
in taxes.  You speak of children being attracted to the  "gimmickry" of
rolling shreds of tobacco after all your years of editorializing  about Big
Tobacco's brand advertising being the cause of children smoking.   You play the
save the children card again by emphasizing "flavored tobacco - now  banned
in packaged cigarettes" while never mentioning that none of those  cigarettes
were coming from Big Tobacco or noting that the one major flavoring  those
companies actually do use, menthol, was given a built in exemption all of
its own.

You end by asking "What's the record for shutting a  loophole?"  How about
asking "What's the record for the largest single tax  increase upon a
minority group?"  Does RYO tobacco's 2,130% increase upon  the poorest segment
of
American smokers sound like the right answer?

Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers'  Brains"

===

While I didn't have room to get into it in the letter, the "children card"
was  particularly annoying since they play on the image of "children
attracted to gimmickry" thereby conjuring the image of a child between 6  and
perhaps 10 or 12 years old.

In reality of course only about 1 child in a hundred would ever actually
buy cigarettes at such an age: any smoking that goes on in that age range is
almost universally the result of swiping them from a relative's pack or
being  given them by an older friend.  And in further reality, probably 1 in  a
thousand of those 1 in a hundred would think of walking into a tobacco shop
or  going on the internet with a credit card and buying a pound of rolling
"pipe"  tobacco.  And of those who indeed might do so, raising the price of
such a  pound from $25 to $50  would probably deter about 1 in 10 of those
who  displayed that much determination to begin with.  We are now talking
about  one child in a million.

Of that one in a million how many do you think would be making such a
well-thought-out purchase simply because they were attracted to the "gimmickry"
of rolling their own?  Maybe one in a hundred?

So we're talking about a 2,000% tax increase on five million or so pipe
smokers in order to prevent the purchase of a pound of tobacco by roughly one
such "child" in a population of a hundred million children.

Since there are only about 50 million such children at most in the US
population, there's just about a fifty-fifty chance that even a single such
incident would happen in a given year... but meanwhile those five million pipe
smokers will all be paying a couple of hundred dollars extra for their
enjoyment...  close to one billion dollars overall to theoretically prevent
one-half of a single "child" from trying smoking a few years earlier than  he
or she otherwise probably would anyway.

That's one of the reasons I devoted a whole subsection of Brains to the
"Saving the Children" propaganda trick: it's a powerful card that's been
played  by such notables as Attila the Hun (We'll spare the children if you
surrender)  to Adolph Hitler (The Jews drinking the blood of Christian babies)
to
Saddam  Hussein (patting the little American child-hostage on the head for
the TV  cameras) to George Bush Sr. (lamenting on how the Iraqi soldiers
were dumping  premature Kuwaiti babies on hospital floors while stealing
incubators). Our  biologically hard-wired love for our children makes us
extremely
vulnerable to  the abuse of that love by those who would manipulate us for
their own benefit  and aims.

And now it's being used against you.... not just in terms of this tax, but
also in terms of the PACT act that will stop you from ever again ordering
pipe  tobacco through the mail or delivery services.  Oh, and peripherally in
the  Health Insurance Plan in Congress that actually DOES seem to specify
that you're  quite fine with your pipe as long as you just smoke crack or
meth in it... but  your monthly premium will double if you dare fire up a bowl
of cherry-flavored  baccy!

OK...  there's my two-or-three-times-a-year political rant for the
group...  I do get a bit pent up at times. Hope it reached some ears while  not
unduly disturbing the tenor...  I *do* try to respect the generally
non-political nature here.

Happy Thanksgiving and looking forward to a Blessed and Merry Christmas for
  all!

Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"
_http://TheTruthIsALie.com_ (http://TheTruthIsALie.com)

_http://www.amazon.com/Dissecting-Antismokers-Brains-Michael-McFadden/dp/097
4497908/ref=sr_1_1..._
(http://www.amazon.com/Dissecting-Antismokers-Brains-Michael-McFadden/dp/0974497\
908/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241953484&sr=
8-1)




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yes, aromatic blends were available in the 1940s and you can still enjoy many of
them today.  The Yoe, Pennsylvania blender, "House of Windsor," continues to
blend and market the popular "drug store blends" of the 1930s-1940s.  In
addition, old-line family tobacco shops like Uhle's or Peretti's can replicate
their blends of the pre-WWII era from the original recipes.

Living in NC, you might be interested in taking an excursion to Morganton, NC to
visit Cornell & Diehl, the tobacco blenders.  C&D is open 9-5, monday - Friday. 
Their telephone number is 800-433-0080.  Although C&D is not a store, they do
welcome visitors and they will sell you a sample pack.  You can also visit their
website; just Google or Yahoo "Cornell and Diehl."

We drive up to the mountains from the South Carolina midlands several times a
year.  I can recommend The Good Old Days Cigar Shop in Waynesville, NC.


>

Thanks for your message- it was helpful to read, esp what you said about English
Evangelicals.

The book is about a man who travels to a place from which he may not be able to
return; he doesn't want to be there, but accepts his situation, then meets a
lady he can't live without. His past will 'catch up' with him (perhaps I should
say his reputation, or 'history' will 'precede' him) causing untold grief, and
then, at the worst possible moment...

Jeff


- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "James" <aslanson1@...> wrote:
>
> If you are a writer, you should read his stuff - especially his fiction.  A
lot of his characters smoke in his stories, but that is due to the time and
culture in which he wrote.  He is English and to this day all the English
Evangelicals I know would not blink an eye at someone smoking a pipe with a
glass of port at their elbow. I think the condemnation of certain pleasures is
more American than Christian.
>
> But again, I encourage you to read Lewis.  He has had an influence on most
Christian thinkers to this day from all sorts of Christian backgrounds.
>
> What is your book about?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jim
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "jeffsapser" <jeffsapser@> wrote:
> >
> > Sorry I've not replied til now.  Truthfully, I've not read any of his work-
yet.
> >
> > I'm writing a book and expect flack from other believers, esp at my church,
because a couple of the characters will be pipe smokers, including a guy in his
mid twenties.
> >
> > I am trying to find a (hopefully widespread) perspective on this man's
reputation in light of his being a smoker. There seems to be very little mention
of it at all which I find odd; he is extremely well respected, and conservative
Christians seem willing to overlook what I thought they'd be up in arms about...
> >
> > Jeff
> >
> > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aslanson1" <aslanson1@> wrote:
> > >
> > > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Gravel" <jeffsapser@>
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Have there been any threads regarding Lewis or other well known
Christian pipe smokers, or are there any sites about this?
> > > >
> > > I've read Lewis most of my life.  He's been a great help to me in my
faith, and he's also part of the reason I picked up the pipe! ;-)  What is your
favorite Lewis book?
> > >
> >
>

Thanks for your help. This is what I was hoping to find.

Jeff

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "jeffsapser" <jeffsapser@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm writing a book and want to know if aromatic blends of pipe tabacco were
around in the 1940's at least in North America.  Any help would sure be
appreciated.
>
> Jeff
>

Jeff,
The history of pipe tobacco is full of aromatic additives, typically to reduce
the sharpness of the poor quality leaf that was used in the early years. 
Everything from camphor to nuts was added to tobacco to make it more palatible. 
Archaeological excavations in England and South Africa have turned up clay pipe
bowls with the residue of many aromatic spices in addition to the pipe tobacco.

Take a look at Chris' Pipe Pages.  He has a digitized 1939 Wally Frank catalog
posted.  The pages for Aromatic Pipe Tobacco is:
http://pipepages.com/pics/wftp9.jpg
http://pipepages.com/pics/wftp10.jpg
http://pipepages.com/pics/wftp11.jpg

Good luck with your research, and good luck with the book.


--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "jeffsapser" <jeffsapser@...>
wrote:
>
> I'm writing a book and want to know if aromatic blends of pipe tabacco were
around in the 1940's at least in North America.  Any help would sure be
appreciated.
>
> Jeff
>

James wrote of CS Lewis, "If you are a writer, you should read his stuff -
especially his fiction. A lot of his characters smoke in his stories, but
that  is due to the time and culture in which he wrote."

I'm also a Lewis fan from long long ago, but I think the change in written
smoking has other factors involved than "time and culture."   From p.  299
of Brains:

"All the way back in 1991 Patricia  Cornwell, author of Body Of Evidence
(Scribner 1991), stated during a  Nightwatch interview that her publisher had
criticized her for having smoking  characters and giving the appearance of  “
lobbying for the tobacco industry” because it would "offend a lot of
people who are anti-smokers out there.”  To mollify the publisher and maintain
her livelihood she proceeded to  have her characters start quitting or at
least start badmouthing their nasty  habit in good politically correct format
(Nightwatch. 03/11/91). "

CS might have had a bit more difficulty  writing under Big Brother today....

   :/
Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers'  Brains"


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you are a writer, you should read his stuff - especially his fiction.  A lot
of his characters smoke in his stories, but that is due to the time and culture
in which he wrote.  He is English and to this day all the English Evangelicals I
know would not blink an eye at someone smoking a pipe with a glass of port at
their elbow. I think the condemnation of certain pleasures is more American than
Christian.

But again, I encourage you to read Lewis.  He has had an influence on most
Christian thinkers to this day from all sorts of Christian backgrounds.

What is your book about?

Cheers,

Jim

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "jeffsapser" <jeffsapser@...>
wrote:
>
> Sorry I've not replied til now.  Truthfully, I've not read any of his work-
yet.
>
> I'm writing a book and expect flack from other believers, esp at my church,
because a couple of the characters will be pipe smokers, including a guy in his
mid twenties.
>
> I am trying to find a (hopefully widespread) perspective on this man's
reputation in light of his being a smoker. There seems to be very little mention
of it at all which I find odd; he is extremely well respected, and conservative
Christians seem willing to overlook what I thought they'd be up in arms about...
>
> Jeff
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aslanson1" <aslanson1@> wrote:
> >
> > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Gravel" <jeffsapser@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Have there been any threads regarding Lewis or other well known Christian
pipe smokers, or are there any sites about this?
> > >
> > I've read Lewis most of my life.  He's been a great help to me in my faith,
and he's also part of the reason I picked up the pipe! ;-)  What is your
favorite Lewis book?
> >
>

Sorry I've not replied til now.  Truthfully, I've not read any of his work- yet.

I'm writing a book and expect flack from other believers, esp at my church,
because a couple of the characters will be pipe smokers, including a guy in his
mid twenties.

I am trying to find a (hopefully widespread) perspective on this man's
reputation in light of his being a smoker. There seems to be very little mention
of it at all which I find odd; he is extremely well respected, and conservative
Christians seem willing to overlook what I thought they'd be up in arms about...

Jeff

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aslanson1" <aslanson1@...> wrote:
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Gravel" <jeffsapser@>
wrote:
> >
> > Have there been any threads regarding Lewis or other well known Christian
pipe smokers, or are there any sites about this?
> >
> I've read Lewis most of my life.  He's been a great help to me in my faith,
and he's also part of the reason I picked up the pipe! ;-)  What is your
favorite Lewis book?
>

I'm writing a book and want to know if aromatic blends of pipe tabacco were
around in the 1940's at least in North America.  Any help would sure be
appreciated.

Jeff

IMHO, I vote for the corncob. I have nice briar pipes, but I seem to smoke the
cobs most of the time. I think it's like so many things about this wonderful
hobby - whatever works for you is what is best for you!
 
Always His,
 
Doug

--- On Tue, 9/29/09, James <aslanson1@...> wrote:


From: James <aslanson1@...>
Subject: [Christian Pipe Smokers] expensive pipes
To: christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 8:11 PM


 



Are expensive pipes really worth the price? Some of my best smokes have been
with a cheap corn cob. what do you all think?
















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Are expensive pipes really worth the price?  Some of my best smokes have been
with a cheap corn cob.  what do you all think?

Welcome to the group my friend!  I hope you find a local pipe smoking
buddy...and I'll continue to be your online pipe smoking buddy from Tampa, FL.

-Ron


--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "gusandromeo" <gusandromeo@...>
wrote:
>
> New to the group, wondering if any memebers are located in NC, always looking
for a pipe smoking buddy! And i also wanted to thank the group for allowing me
to join!
>

New to the group, wondering if any memebers are located in NC, always looking
for a pipe smoking buddy! And i also wanted to thank the group for allowing me
to join!

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "rongadz59" <rongadz59@...> wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> I happen to work in the life insurance industry (New York Life) and I agree
with Doug.  As long as you answered all health questions asked on the
application honestly when you applied, you have nothing to worry about.  Taking
up pipe smoking after the policy is issued does not void the contract nor will
make the claim deni if you pass away.  Besides, smoking just 3-4 bowls a week is
very moderate; especially if you were a non-smoker all your life.
>
> Another important point to know is that every life insurance policy in America
has a two-year contestible period.  If you pass away and the policy is less than
2 years old, insurance companies will review your medical records and compare
them to the health history you gave on the application.  A contact can only be
voided (and premiums returned) if health misrepresentations are found.  After 2
years of having an inforce policy (and no reinstatements), all insurance
companies require to pay claim in proof of death (certified death certificate). 
Again, if you were a non-smoker when you applied for insurance, you didn't
misrepresent your health history.
>
> So clear your conscious, enjoy your pipes, and enjoy life!
>
> Yours in Christ,
> Ron
>
Hey Ron,

Thanks so much for the information! I really enjoy the pipe, but I just wanted
to make sure I didn't have a duty in this regard. I recently read a book about
the fear of the Lord, and I'm trying to apply it - even to pipe smoking! I'm
very much relieved. Your information is MUCH appreciated.  Thanks again Ron.

In the Lord,

Jim

Jim,

I happen to work in the life insurance industry (New York Life) and I agree with
Doug.  As long as you answered all health questions asked on the application
honestly when you applied, you have nothing to worry about.  Taking up pipe
smoking after the policy is issued does not void the contract nor will make the
claim deni if you pass away.  Besides, smoking just 3-4 bowls a week is very
moderate; especially if you were a non-smoker all your life.

Another important point to know is that every life insurance policy in America
has a two-year contestible period.  If you pass away and the policy is less than
2 years old, insurance companies will review your medical records and compare
them to the health history you gave on the application.  A contact can only be
voided (and premiums returned) if health misrepresentations are found.  After 2
years of having an inforce policy (and no reinstatements), all insurance
companies require to pay claim in proof of death (certified death certificate). 
Again, if you were a non-smoker when you applied for insurance, you didn't
misrepresent your health history.

So clear your conscious, enjoy your pipes, and enjoy life!

Yours in Christ,
Ron

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Gravel" <jeffsapser@...>
wrote:
>
> Have there been any threads regarding Lewis or other well known Christian pipe
smokers, or are there any sites about this?
>
I've read Lewis most of my life.  He's been a great help to me in my faith, and
he's also part of the reason I picked up the pipe! ;-)  What is your favorite
Lewis book?

Dear Brothers,
The answer is simple and it is exactly what I did. Ask your insurance agent. My
mine told me pipe smoking was not the same as cigarettes.  As he is the
authority representing his company he will have the right answers.

God Bless,
Phil

Jim,
My personal opinion is that you fulfilled your obligation to the insurance
company when you applied for insurance and truthfully answered their questions.
I am not an insurance expert, but I am not aware of any case where insurance
failed to pay off due to something that happened after the policy was issued.
The majority of people have conditions that develop after the policy was written
that would have voided the policy had it existed when the policy was issued.
Rest easy and go with God,
 
Doug

--- On Tue, 9/8/09, James Vevers <aslanson1@...> wrote:


From: James Vevers <aslanson1@...>
Subject: [Christian Pipe Smokers] a question about life insurance
To: christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 9:24 PM


 



Hi all,
 
I have a question about life insurance.  I've only been smoking a pipe for about
2 years.  I have enjoyed it very much. It has been a door to some great
fellowship with some great guys.  It seems conversations become more robust with
a pipe!
 
My question.  I bought life insurance before I ever knew I was going to smoke a
pipe.  I've been a non-smoker all my life.  But now I'm bothered that I'm
smoking but my insurance company thinks I'm not smoking.  I smoke mostly on
weekends.  I average only about 3-4 bowls a week.
 
What do you guys do about life insurance?  Has anyone else come up against this
situation?  Do you know of any companies that do not punish "social smokers"?
Should I forget about it since I smoke so little?  Doesn't the Lord require
honesty of us?  How much higher is the price for a smoker?  I have a family and
don't want to take a chance on them not receiving the benefits if something, God
forbid, should happen.
 
Thanks for your input.
 
Jim

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all,
 
I have a question about life insurance.  I've only been smoking a pipe for about
2 years.  I have enjoyed it very much. It has been a door to some great
fellowship with some great guys.  It seems conversations become more robust with
a pipe!
 
My question.  I bought life insurance before I ever knew I was going to smoke a
pipe.  I've been a non-smoker all my life.  But now I'm bothered that I'm
smoking but my insurance company thinks I'm not smoking.  I smoke mostly on
weekends.  I average only about 3-4 bowls a week.
 
What do you guys do about life insurance?  Has anyone else come up against this
situation?  Do you know of any companies that do not punish "social smokers"?
Should I forget about it since I smoke so little?  Doesn't the Lord require
honesty of us?  How much higher is the price for a smoker?  I have a family and
don't want to take a chance on them not receiving the benefits if something, God
forbid, should happen.
 
Thanks for your input.
 
Jim




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This will be spreading, along with equalizing the tobacco taxes at about
$25/pound over the next year or so.  I've pasted the story about the
following link

_http://pro-choicesmokingdoctor.blogspot.com/2009/07/obama-in-bare-faced-lie
.html_
(http://pro-choicesmokingdoctor.blogspot.com/2009/07/obama-in-bare-faced-lie.htm\
l)

well over 50 times in various news story blogs and such around the web but
haven't been able to find anyone in the media to pick it up.  The focus for
  me of course wasn't Obama in general but rather to highlight the attack on
  smokers.

One bright spot on the horizon is that the IPCPR has finally gotten into
the fight.  Now the only question is whether it's too little, too  late.
We'll have to see.

Heh... one of the "funnies" going around on my mailing lists concerns a
provision of one of the health bills (dunno if it's the House or Senate or
whatever version...) that mandates protections against health insurance
premiums  rising because of medical conditions and such.

Under that provision, the insurance premiums will NOT be allowed to be
increased for you if you smoke a pipe.

Under one condition however: You can only smoke marijuana, hash, or crack
cocaine in that pipe.  If you try smoking tobacco in it your insurance
premium can be doubled.    And no, I am not kidding, although I  have not seen
the actual wording myself.  The source seemed fairly reliable  however so I
don't mind passing it on.

- Michael

Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

New WA state law passed this summer ...
Better keep an eye on YOUR state's legislature...

29 (1) A person may not:
30 (a) Ship or transport, or cause to be shipped or transported, any
31 tobacco product ordered or purchased by mail or through the internet to
32 anyone in this state other than a licensed wholesaler or retailer; or
33 (b) With knowledge or reason to know of the violation, provide
34 substantial assistance to a person who is in violation of this section.
35 (2)(a) A person who knowingly violates subsection (1) of this
36 section is guilty of a class C felony, except that the maximum fine
37 that may be imposed is five thousand dollars.

...David, who writes:

>>>Enjoy a good bowlful in the morning or night and would prefer to stay in
contact with like minded folks.<<<

Welcome David!  We don't seem to post much, but we're a good group.

Please look around the forum - messages, photos, etc. - and let me know if you
have any questions.

Best Regards,

steve nash
Moderator

April,
Ahh . . now you've touched on the subject that is, next to choice of tobacco,
the most hotly debated topic among pipesmokers.  Your choice will be a mix of
visual appeal (size, shape, finish, color, etc.) and cost.  Note that cost does
not always equate to quality, as there are many expensive pipes that do not
smoke any better than your drugstore variety (but of course they have a more
impressive pedigree and the marketing folks would assure you you're getting a
much superior product...<wink,wink>)  One of my highest recommendations is to
try a corncob pipe.  They are downright cheap, smoke very cool and dry, do not
contribute to, nor detract from, the flavor of the tobacco, and if you let them
dry between smokes, can last for years.  Plus, it you run over it with your car,
you will only shed one or two tears <smile>.  Keep looking for a good briar
pipe, and if you find something that pleases both your eye and wallet, add it to
your 'rotation'.  The rotation is the collection of pipes that you smoke,
letting each 'rest' for a couple of days between smokes, enabling them to dry
out thoroughly, and thus smoke cool and dry.  Bottom line is that you don't need
to spend a lot of money to find a good pipe, but a good pipe (better than its
drug store kin), treated well, will provide faithful service for years.
Now, on to the hunt for that 'perfect' pipe!   Good luck!


--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aprilsoft" <aprilsoft@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Glen,
>
> Also, can you recommend a good pipe for me to start with? I'm under the
impression that the pipe I bought from my local chain pharmacy isn't exactly of
good quality :)
>
> God Bless,
> April
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Glen Clover" <glenclover@>
wrote:
> >
> > April,
> > Let me join Steve and the others in welcoming you to our group.
> > Keeping the tobacco lit is a basic challenge in pipesmoking, but also the
opportunity to 'fiddle with the system' . . keeping both your mind and hands
busy working with the pipe.  Multiple lightings is part of the process, not a
problem.  As you smoke, frequent gentle tamping of the ash layer is necessary to
keep the fire 'fueled and active' at the top layer of the tobacco.  Tamp
regularly, light when necessary, and slow and steady puffs will give you the
longest and most complete 'burn' of your tobacco.  Some tobaccos however, burn
'wetter' than others, and result in more condensation in the bowl, giving you a
'wet' smoke with gurgling and moisture build up.  Drying the tobacco in advance,
by simply taking roughly a bowlfull out of the pouch and leaving it on a tissue
for an hour or so before loading into your pipe, will produce a dryer burn with
less moisture buildup.  There's lots of tricks and technique here, different for
everybody, but common in scope, and part of the fun of pipesmoking. By all
means, share your experiences and questions. . . we're here to help, encourage
and advise.
> > Again, welcome to the group, and enjoy pipesmoking!     Glen
> >
> > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aprilsoft" <aprilsoft@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks for the welcome Steve,
> > >
> > > I've been a long time cigarette smoker. I've been trying to cut down,
which has proven very difficult for me. My husband began smoking cigars about a
year ago and I started with them a few months ago. I enjoy them, but only smoke
a few a week, so they really don't help me cut down on the cigarettes. I thought
a pipe would help with that. My grandfather was a pipe smoker and I always loved
the aroma of his pipe. I've bought an inexpensive pipe from the local chain
pharmacy and some Capt. Black tobacco, but I do have some issues keeping my pipe
lit. I'm enjoying smoking it, and I was hoping I could find some help online. As
an avid church goer and a "born again" Christian, I felt your group would be
perfect for me. Any advice you could give me on pipe smoking and collecting
would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > Have a Blessed Day,
> > > April
> > >
> > > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Nash"
<steve_nash_888@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Please welcome new member April who writes:
> > > >
> > > > >>>My name's April Jennings, I'm a Christian and a new pipe smoker and
I'd like to be in your group. Have a blessed day.<<<
> > > >
> > > > Welcome April!  We don't have many women here, but you are certainly
welcome!
> > > >
> > > > How did you come to be a pipe smoker??
> > > >
> > > > Please look around our forum and if there's anything I can help you
with, please let me know.
> > > >
> > > > steve nash
> > > > Moderator
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

April.

Punch up "Pipes by Whitney", first name Dave,  go from his web site
to his e-Bay listings,
pick a pipe you like the looks of,  and "ask him a
question"  (available on the same page
as the pipe is displayed).  Dave specializes in older pipes that
smoke really well, and they are
inexpensive.  He's a good soul.  We were next door neighbors, so to
speak, during our army time
in Tokyo, in 1954-1956.  If I've totally confused you, write me  and
we can talk some more.
You should be able to get a good smoking "estate" pipe from Dave for
$25.

twojrs@....     blessings!  JR+

On Jul 25, 2009, at 7:06 PM, aprilsoft wrote:

> Thanks Glen,
>
> Also, can you recommend a good pipe for me to start with? I'm under
> the impression that the pipe I bought from my local chain pharmacy
> isn't exactly of good quality :)
>
> God Bless,
> April


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks Glen,

Also, can you recommend a good pipe for me to start with? I'm under the
impression that the pipe I bought from my local chain pharmacy isn't exactly of
good quality :)

God Bless,
April

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Glen Clover" <glenclover@...>
wrote:
>
> April,
> Let me join Steve and the others in welcoming you to our group.
> Keeping the tobacco lit is a basic challenge in pipesmoking, but also the
opportunity to 'fiddle with the system' . . keeping both your mind and hands
busy working with the pipe.  Multiple lightings is part of the process, not a
problem.  As you smoke, frequent gentle tamping of the ash layer is necessary to
keep the fire 'fueled and active' at the top layer of the tobacco.  Tamp
regularly, light when necessary, and slow and steady puffs will give you the
longest and most complete 'burn' of your tobacco.  Some tobaccos however, burn
'wetter' than others, and result in more condensation in the bowl, giving you a
'wet' smoke with gurgling and moisture build up.  Drying the tobacco in advance,
by simply taking roughly a bowlfull out of the pouch and leaving it on a tissue
for an hour or so before loading into your pipe, will produce a dryer burn with
less moisture buildup.  There's lots of tricks and technique here, different for
everybody, but common in scope, and part of the fun of pipesmoking. By all
means, share your experiences and questions. . . we're here to help, encourage
and advise.
> Again, welcome to the group, and enjoy pipesmoking!     Glen
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aprilsoft" <aprilsoft@> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the welcome Steve,
> >
> > I've been a long time cigarette smoker. I've been trying to cut down, which
has proven very difficult for me. My husband began smoking cigars about a year
ago and I started with them a few months ago. I enjoy them, but only smoke a few
a week, so they really don't help me cut down on the cigarettes. I thought a
pipe would help with that. My grandfather was a pipe smoker and I always loved
the aroma of his pipe. I've bought an inexpensive pipe from the local chain
pharmacy and some Capt. Black tobacco, but I do have some issues keeping my pipe
lit. I'm enjoying smoking it, and I was hoping I could find some help online. As
an avid church goer and a "born again" Christian, I felt your group would be
perfect for me. Any advice you could give me on pipe smoking and collecting
would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Have a Blessed Day,
> > April
> >
> > --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Nash" <steve_nash_888@>
wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Please welcome new member April who writes:
> > >
> > > >>>My name's April Jennings, I'm a Christian and a new pipe smoker and I'd
like to be in your group. Have a blessed day.<<<
> > >
> > > Welcome April!  We don't have many women here, but you are certainly
welcome!
> > >
> > > How did you come to be a pipe smoker??
> > >
> > > Please look around our forum and if there's anything I can help you with,
please let me know.
> > >
> > > steve nash
> > > Moderator
> > >
> >
>

April,
Let me join Steve and the others in welcoming you to our group.
Keeping the tobacco lit is a basic challenge in pipesmoking, but also the
opportunity to 'fiddle with the system' . . keeping both your mind and hands
busy working with the pipe.  Multiple lightings is part of the process, not a
problem.  As you smoke, frequent gentle tamping of the ash layer is necessary to
keep the fire 'fueled and active' at the top layer of the tobacco.  Tamp
regularly, light when necessary, and slow and steady puffs will give you the
longest and most complete 'burn' of your tobacco.  Some tobaccos however, burn
'wetter' than others, and result in more condensation in the bowl, giving you a
'wet' smoke with gurgling and moisture build up.  Drying the tobacco in advance,
by simply taking roughly a bowlfull out of the pouch and leaving it on a tissue
for an hour or so before loading into your pipe, will produce a dryer burn with
less moisture buildup.  There's lots of tricks and technique here, different for
everybody, but common in scope, and part of the fun of pipesmoking. By all
means, share your experiences and questions. . . we're here to help, encourage
and advise.
Again, welcome to the group, and enjoy pipesmoking!     Glen

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "aprilsoft" <aprilsoft@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the welcome Steve,
>
> I've been a long time cigarette smoker. I've been trying to cut down, which
has proven very difficult for me. My husband began smoking cigars about a year
ago and I started with them a few months ago. I enjoy them, but only smoke a few
a week, so they really don't help me cut down on the cigarettes. I thought a
pipe would help with that. My grandfather was a pipe smoker and I always loved
the aroma of his pipe. I've bought an inexpensive pipe from the local chain
pharmacy and some Capt. Black tobacco, but I do have some issues keeping my pipe
lit. I'm enjoying smoking it, and I was hoping I could find some help online. As
an avid church goer and a "born again" Christian, I felt your group would be
perfect for me. Any advice you could give me on pipe smoking and collecting
would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Have a Blessed Day,
> April
>
> --- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Nash" <steve_nash_888@>
wrote:
> >
> >
> > Please welcome new member April who writes:
> >
> > >>>My name's April Jennings, I'm a Christian and a new pipe smoker and I'd
like to be in your group. Have a blessed day.<<<
> >
> > Welcome April!  We don't have many women here, but you are certainly
welcome!
> >
> > How did you come to be a pipe smoker??
> >
> > Please look around our forum and if there's anything I can help you with,
please let me know.
> >
> > steve nash
> > Moderator
> >
>

Thanks for the welcome Steve,

I've been a long time cigarette smoker. I've been trying to cut down, which has
proven very difficult for me. My husband began smoking cigars about a year ago
and I started with them a few months ago. I enjoy them, but only smoke a few a
week, so they really don't help me cut down on the cigarettes. I thought a pipe
would help with that. My grandfather was a pipe smoker and I always loved the
aroma of his pipe. I've bought an inexpensive pipe from the local chain pharmacy
and some Capt. Black tobacco, but I do have some issues keeping my pipe lit. I'm
enjoying smoking it, and I was hoping I could find some help online. As an avid
church goer and a "born again" Christian, I felt your group would be perfect for
me. Any advice you could give me on pipe smoking and collecting would be greatly
appreciated.

Have a Blessed Day,
April

--- In christianpipesmokers@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Nash" <steve_nash_888@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Please welcome new member April who writes:
>
> >>>My name's April Jennings, I'm a Christian and a new pipe smoker and I'd
like to be in your group. Have a blessed day.<<<
>
> Welcome April!  We don't have many women here, but you are certainly welcome!
>
> How did you come to be a pipe smoker??
>
> Please look around our forum and if there's anything I can help you with,
please let me know.
>
> steve nash
> Moderator
>

Please welcome new member April who writes:

>>>My name's April Jennings, I'm a Christian and a new pipe smoker and I'd like
to be in your group. Have a blessed day.<<<

Welcome April!  We don't have many women here, but you are certainly welcome!

How did you come to be a pipe smoker??

Please look around our forum and if there's anything I can help you with, please
let me know.

steve nash
Moderator