Who here is a smoker or tobacco chewer and why/when did you start?

I'm not a smoker per se, but I do smoke occasionally. I own a pipe, a small number of Cuban cigars and at the minute, 12 Camel cigarettes. I bought the cigs as a pack of 20 last October, I have yet to have a cigar or smoke my pipe this year.

I smoke cigars, most usually either for a big celebration (a wedding or a big birthday event) but didn't do so for new year or my birthday this year.

I smoke my pipe whenever the fancy takes me, but that's a rare thing, it has to be the right circumstance of wonderful weather, nothing to do, and preferably a few glasses of whisky.

Most usually I smoke a cigarette when I come back to the flat rat arsed and want a nicotine hit. I never smoke when im out anymore because of the smoking ban, but I would sometimes have a smoke in a pub or at a beer festival prior to that. I've had 3 cigarettes this year.

Last year I went throguh a period of trying snuff (nasal sniffing tobacco). Aside from the fact that it circumvents the smoking ban in public places, its not up to much. Theres not a nicotine hit really, and while some of them smell nice, they give you nasal constipation and really, someone as young as me sniffing tobacco looks like a prat. Thats why I've never smoked my pipe in public.

I like to think that theres a difference between me, the casual smoker for the pleasure of tobacco, and a smoker, who is addicted to nicotine. Really though any smoking at all is bad for you.

I started smoking when I was about 18, cigarettes only. It was most likely a peer group thing. Way to long ago to remember. I quit a year ago after about 30 years of nicotine. The only time I miss smoking is as Duggeh put it, I am rat-assed or in a smokey pub. The smoking ban in pubs where I am, comes into effect July 1 this year.

Free at last.

Started smoking when i was 18 slowed down alot when i was 20. Im 21 now, and ill only ever smoke when i go out on big occassions maybe once or twice a month, maybe 5-10 ciggies a month.

Just my 2 cents. As a health care provider, I can honestly say that it's a nasty and deadly habit. Do an online search of what smoking does to your lungs. Do the same for surgical procedures for oral cancer. Take a look at what you're flirting with. Not a hard choice IMO. Besides, with the costs of tobacco going sky high these days, stopping such activity would allow you to buy some ridiculously good gear with the money you save!

My advice....no, make that PLEA....don't start. If you've started, please STOP!!

I started at 14 and smoked till I was 25

I started when I was 12 or 13 and I'm turning 24 soon. So yea.. I've been smoking almost half of my life and I'm going to stop soon.

I tried cigarettes as a kid and teenager and couldn't stand it in the least. When I got to be around 17 I gained an appreciation for cigars (especially a fat, spicy Nicaraguan).

Started smoking casually at 19, when I was spending a lot of time in smoky bars and coffee houses (no cigars allowed). The people around me were doing it, so I tried it out and found that I really liked it. Old enough to know better, but there is a lot to be said for the enjoyment of a smoke.

Within a year, I was buying my own packs and it escalated (and plateaued) to about half a pack a day. Needless (and sad) to say, I now fall into Duggeh's third camp of unfortunate souls, the addicted smoker. I'm 27 now, pushing 28 very soon.

I do plan on quitting, but I have that curious position of knowing I should quit, but genuinely enjoying the habit. I've quit a few times in the past (once for almost a year) but I've found that no matter the stopping aid, if your head isn't in the right place, it isn't going to happen.

Have tried cold turkey - don't have the willpower.

Have tried Zyban - Worked to some degree, but stopped because of mental issues. I caution anyone thinking about using this drug to do some very serious homework. This pill is partly responsible for lingering depression issues to this day. I used it for 2 months and stopped 5 years ago. I had no previous mental health issues prior to using this drug. Please, PLEASE be careful. I'd rather someone smoke to their grave than endure the swirling madness this pill can bring on.

Have tried the gum - all it did was make my breath stink and stomach nauseous.

Have tried the patch - oh my, the patch. Worked wonders. Sadly, I was in a horrible position at work at the time and smoking was a necessary distraction. This is the one and only time I can say I JUMPED off the wagon, rather than fell. I will use this method again (soon) when I get my head in the right place again.

Cigarettes are disgusting, addictive and lethal. And I love them. But it's a temporary affair and a habit I will make great strides to kick, but only when I'm ready on all levels.

I started when I was 13 cause it was the "grown-up" thing to do in the 50s. I quit when I was 30.

....I would go to the store with 30 cents in my pocket to get a pack of Camels for my dad and a dime for going. The next day I would go to the store with 40 cents in my pocket and say: "two packs of camels and a book of matches, please"!

Everybody smoked in those days.

same deal with my father, who grew up during the 40's and 50's (yeah, for me being 17 and him being 62). he said everybody smoked.

i like the occasional cigar maybe once or twice a month

I picked up smoking when I was 16 and trying to pick up a girl who worked at the same place as I did. She was in a different division, so the only time I could spend with her at work was during her smoke breaks, and it was weird (and probably creepy) when I showed up without a smoke. Of course, I ended up painfully addicted for ten years, and she went out with some other guy who didn't smoke.

I also dipped for awhile because I went to a prep school for two years. Tobacco was verboten, and it's far easier to get away with dipping in a dorm than smoking.

I started smoking a pipe around the time I got married, at 26. I started smoking cigars occassionally later that year. I smoked about 1-2 a week for a year, now I'm at 1-2 a month. I haven't smoked my pipe in a couple of years, tho that might change once I get settled in in my new house. A good cigar is a wonderful thing on a long drive, tho.

I started smoking cigs when I was 16. I wanted to look cool in front of my friends. Sad but true. Now I smoke because I love to inhale smoke.

Tour de France cyclists having a smoke because they thought it helped "open up" the lungs before cycling up the moutains.