Cowboys & Tobacco

[John Barleycorn]

The movies seem to show that cowboys were big tobacco users in all forms, Is this just Hollywood or is it true?

[Delmonico]

The movies seem to show that cowboys were big tobacco users in all forms, Is this just Hollywood or is it true?

Yep it was true in the time, cigs and chew being the most popular, cigs mostly after the late 70's.  Today the majority of real working cowboys I've ever met dip on or another brands of chew.  Few still use leaf or plug. 

[St. George]

Tobacco - in its many forms - was thoroughly enjoyed as soon as someone figured out how to dry it, light it, and enjoy the smoke.

During the era, plug tobacco was popular, since it was fairly resilient for carrying - as was snuff.

There were tobacco pouches of wide variety - and all of them were filled.

As time rolled on, individual pouches of rolling tobacco predominated - 'Bull Durham' being a popular brand.

It was also used as an enticing trade medium, because of it's properties.

Tobacco 'back then' didn't have the additives of tobacco produced today, by the way.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Deadeye Don]

True.  It was one vice that was easily transported.  Interesting evidence from the Little Big Horn battle shows dental indications of a significant amount of pipe smoking. 

[Deadeye Don]

We can count on the modern day tobacco companies making their products even more addictive through additives. 

[Delmonico]

The soldier of the time seems to have prefered the pipe. 

[GunClick Rick]

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/gunclickrick/?action=view&current=Sherrifsdesk017.jpg

[Forty Rod]

I was a four pack a day smoker for 35 years.  Tried pipes for a few years and cigars for an even shorter time.  Never chewed or dipped.  Been tobacco free for about ten years now.  Gained 45-50 pounds because food tastes better, but feel a lot better in spite of the weight.

[Modoc]

I have to second 40-rod, except I was up to a can a day of Copenhagen . 
Still like an occasional quid of leaf, but have the youngster to be a good example for .  The worst chore was cleaning out the spitoon.

A good pipe still smells great tho

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I smoked for a good 10 years, up to 4 packs a day. I quit cold from 3 packs a day. Been a free man now for about 30 years.

[GunClick Rick]

I must be a night owl.I never ever smoke during the day,can't stand it.But at night i have a few before going to bed.

HOOOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLLL!!! Oops thought i saw a mull foon

[Deadeye Don]

I am really happy about you pards that smoked and were able to stop.  It is often not an easy thing to do.  You are likely to be around for alot longer enjoying your shoots and the company of your posses not to mention your families.  Congrats!!

[Russ T Chambers]

I haven't smoked in my entire life, even though my Dad, Grandmother chain smoked, and my brother smokes now.  I do run around CAS matches with a lit cigar, but you can tell if I accidently inhale, as I will take a few minutes to stop coughing,  I just do it for the visual effect, I guess.

[Howdy Doody]

I do my smoking from the muzzle of my guns. I was able to quit the habit when I got out of the service. I used to miss it when I smelled the smoke from others and now I have actually developed sort of an allergy to it. Go figure.

Around my neck of the woods it would be a major inconvienience to smoke with all the laws and such. It looks cool though 

[Singing Bear]

A "rope" or twist of tobacco was one of the most popular trade items at rendezvous time.  Could be smoked or chewed.   I see something similar still available at some of the small mom and pop stores around here.   Popular with some of the Filipinos' from the old country.

March 15th 08 will make it 3 years, again, for me.  I first quit at 3 packs cold turkey when I came down with bronchitis.  Was off for 13 years and picked up a cig and lit it.  Big mistake.  I figure most of us only control our addiction by not smoking, having gotten rid of the nicotine from our systems and subbed our physical obsession with something else.  It only takes one to start it all over again.

[River City John]

A "rope" or twist of tobacco was one of the most popular trade items at rendezvous time.  Could be smoked or chewed.   I see something similar still available at some of the small mom and pop stores around here.   Popular with some of the Filipinos' from the old country.

March 15th 08 will make it 3 years, again, for me.  I first quit at 3 packs cold turkey when I came down with bronchitis.  Was off for 13 years and picked up a cig and lit it.  Big mistake.  I figure most of us only control our addiction by not smoking, having gotten rid of the nicotine from our systems and subbed our physical obsession with something else.  It only takes one to start it all over again.

How true!
I had quit a two pack per day habit after getting another bad case of bronchitis that just wouldn't go away. This in '90.
Later, after having been in CAS I played with a pipe and then cigars. Liked the effect and seemed to go well with camp socializing. The last three years it got to the point that I was puffing 5-10 cigars a week even if I wasn't at an event. Never inhaled, but I was sure getting my nicotine fix. I would not smoke in the house, but out on the back porch, winter and summer, most often in the evening.
 
First real cold snap I went out onto the porch to smoke my evening after-dinner cigar and just decided I wasn't going to freeze my face off again this winter.
Haven't smoked a thing for a little over four weeks now. Guess I'll wait until shooting season rolls around next year and we're all sitting around the campfire or the saloon table. That's my trouble, I like my vices too much.   

[Forty Rod]

In the years before I quit I tried everything I could find. 

I finally stumbled on the secret: QUIT!!  Just stop and tell yourself you're stronger than any damned weed.  Worked for me.

It was a real bitch for a couple of weeks, but it worked!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I was a "social" smoker about 30 years ago.  Got all the way up to a pack a week.  Wasn't too hard to quit.

In my Cowboy "bag" I have "makins', cee-gars and chaw, but if I DO light up, it's just for show.  Kinda like RussT.

[Dr. Bob]

I'm with Steel Horse Bailey here!  I have a couple of pipes and a cigar or two and the tools to go with them, but I don't like the after taste, so I don't actually light up very often.  I prefer a glass of Madeira for realization!   Or maybe two, or three ......

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I'm with Steel Horse Bailey here!  I have a couple of pipes and a cigar or two and the tools to go with them, but I don't like the after taste, so I don't actually light up very often.  I prefer a glass of Madeira for realization!   Or maybe two, or three ......

I'll drink to that!