Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary
July 12, 2010
Current Contest:
Check out Brian's review of the Gran Habano Azteca for details on how to win Cigars and Swag.
Stogie Poll: Smoking while you are sick
As you may know, a couple of weeks ago I came down with a nasty cold and had to take a little hiatus from Stogie Review and cigars in general. While sick, I got an email from Keith asking if we smoked cigars while we were ill.
Shortly after receiving the email I ran an informal poll on twitter asking the same question. I don’t remember the exact turnout, but it was pretty close.
Now for the formal poll.
[poll id="3"]
Hello 2009 Edition of Stogie Review,
My view on smoking while having a cold specifically is that I believe that one can not truly appreciate all the flavor that a good cigar will give the smoker. When your sinuses are stuffed up, you cannot taste the good cigar flavors. Plus, if a smoker is already coughing due to the cold before the cigar, I can’t imagine why smoking while sick is a very good idea/ an enjoyable experience. Very cool topic for a poll and discussion Walt!
As Jerry would say, “Long Ashes!”
Erik
I smoke when I’m sick but its normally out of habit and its never anything sophisticated or expensive. Maybe a Gispert or Famous Dominican 2000.
I don’t enjoy smoking or eating for that matter. I have a suggestion: when I start to feel a little scratchiness in the back of my throat, I use a spray called Zicam. It comes in spray or swab so you can choose. Anyway, it really works. I seem to get a very mild cold as opposed to a full blown head exploder.
It’s a way to relax when sick – I’ll smoke something mild knowing my taste buds might be a little out of whack.
It mainly depends on what type of sickness. I smoke when ill with most things, unless it is something that is affecting my throat. If I have a really sore or irritated throat then I will usually refrain from smoking for a few days. However I find with a lot of symptoms that cigar smoking can actually alleviate them and make me feel somewhat better.
I find that I cannot enjoy a cigar when I’m sick, in much the same way that I can’t eat very much when I feel ill. Also, if I’m sick enough, a cigar actually feels noxious, rather than being a relaxing treat. Tastes and smells that I normally enjoy immensely can actually be quite nauseating when I’m unwell. I prefer to leave cigar smoking for times when I can savour the experience.
I will smoke on the tail end of a cold if only left with nasal congestion and only if it can be taken care of with some sudafed. If my nose is not allowing air to pass go then I keep my humis closed.
I’m with the general consensus. I don’t see a reason to smoke a cigar when I can’t really enjoy what I’m smoking. If I can’t smell a thing then I won’t be able to pick up the flavors in the cigar and it will be just like smoking a cigarette. I smoke the for the aromas and flavors I can pick up and not just the nicotine.
I agree with most here and just can’t enjoy a cigar when sick. I do however find myself craving one more when I know I shouldn’t have one.
I am currently down with a chest cold, and I haven’t smoked anything since last week. Here’s my rationale:
1.) My wife goes nuts every time I even look at a cigar when I’m sick. This alone is enough to keep me smoke free during an illness. LOL
2.) When it’s a respiratory-related illness, I suspect smoke may prolong the illness or possibly worsen the symptoms.
3.) A brief hiatus from stoges results in more tasty cigars once the illness is over.
4.) I can’t really taste anything anyway.
Smoking while sick? Depends on the type of “sick”. Not usually during a respiratory affliction or full on nausea, but herfing usually helps out with that hangover headache “sickness”, for me.
I won’t smoke if I’m a “dead man walking”. But if the cold is mild and I have just a little bit of post nasal drip or sinus congestion I’ll be there. I don’t smoke a lot, so if the opportunity presents itself and I’m just a little under the weather, I’m there. I will take my Sudafed at least an hour before I smoke though. And I never smoke a really nice stick, knowing I won’t appreciate it the way I should. As an aside, the smoke seems to help clear up some congestion too. Anyone else notice this?
lo,l, I guess there was a clear concensus here…