A Personal Code for Wise Tobacco Use
I enjoy tobacco and reject the notion that abstinence is the only reasonable approach to consumption.
Moderation is permissible.
I reject absolutism. Some risk is acceptable when paired with self-awareness, intent, and boundaries.
Moderation must be meaningfully defined.
I define moderation as a usage rate below the threshold studied in peer-reviewed literature—that is, a level so minimal that epidemiological data cannot draw clear causal links to harm.
Example: ≤2 cigars/pipes per month, never daily or habitual.
Use must be intentional, not habitual.
Tobacco should never serve as a reflex, a coping mechanism, or background noise. It is reserved for specific, chosen contexts (rituals, reflection, or shared experience).
Product integrity matters.
I use forms of tobacco that are least adulterated (no additives, filters, or combustion accelerants). Cigars and pipes are preferable to cigarettes.
Health is a primary value.
This practice must coexist with an otherwise health-optimized life (diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management are non-negotiables).
Transparency with self
I will regularly reassess: Is this still rare? Still meaningful? Still worth the risk? Am I romanticizing something that no longer serves me?