Smoking while driving

[Anonymous]

Good thread. I find also that I must smoke while I drive to help with the stress. It keeps me from speeding because arriving means I'm done smoking. I will add that I only smoke cobs in the car because the heat here damages the fit of the stem to the shank, even in those screw on stems.

A couple of things: if I get a tobacco I don't like, I throw in in the car because if I'm desperate for a smoke ALMOST anything will do. This seems to have an aging effect.

The finger tamper you guys are existing already exists; I've seen it either in a shop or on a site. I'll see if you can find it.

 

[Hermit]

I'd buy one.

 

[Mikem]

In the last couple of weeks I find myself more and more smoking a bowl on the way home from work. A couple of times now I've even been able to partake in a bowl on the way to work. It really relaxes me on the way home. While driving I tend to just use my index finger on my smoking hand to lightly tamp down.

 

[HistoryMajor]

I don't know if I read this here or somewhere else...heck, it might've been in this thread. If you're looking for a tamper, steal your wife's sewing thimble. Seems like that would work fairly well.

I tend to only fill a quarter-half bowl. I tamp when I light, then re-light, and then don't usually tamp again unless it goes out and I can re-light at a stop sign or something.

 

[Tom Clemons]

Perhaps this previous post of mine from another board from a couple of years ago may be of some interest. Sorry for its length.

>
> In the winter, most of my smoking is in the car. Here is what I do and
> recommend, much of which I picked up from trial and error, but also the many
> useful suggestions shared here on ASP.
>
>
> 1. Pipes - many suggest smoking bent pipes in the car. Reasons: a) less
> likely to bang pipe against closed driver's side window (yes, it hurts), b)
> many deem it safer if an air bag goes off (less likely to be rammed down
> one's throat) and c) they are easier to re-light while driving.
>
> - I might also suggest loading one pipe more than what you think you may
> need. Why? if you have a problem with your pack or the 'baccy is too wet
> and not keeping lit (see #2 below) you can just switch to another pipe and
> not try to mess with the troublesome pipe while driving.
>
> - I would also suggest light-weight pipes, assuming you will clench them in
> your mouth for long periods of time (helps keep both hands on the wheel).
> At least there will be times when you will clench for a while.
>
> - Some suggested using beat up pipes or yard pipes because if you are not
> able to pay as much attention, you are more likely to scorch your pipe.
>
> - I do not recommend long pipes. Churchwardens get caught in the steering
> wheel. What a mess, especially the third time!
>
>
> 2. Tobacco - I like to smoke flakes, as they burn longer, meaning less
> changing of pipes. As I smoke more slowly on trips, I tend to really enjoy
> Virginia flakes more than ever. Whatever tobacco you choose to smoke, I'd
> suggest letting it dry a bit. Makes relighting occur less often and makes
> such easier and quicker.
>
>
> 3. Packing - Pack pipes and perform charring light prior to driving. pack
> carefully, as you won't be able to safely repack a pipe while driving. If
> you have a lengthy trip (i.e., a two- pipe or a three-pipe trip or longer),
> I'd suggest you do the charring light on at least two pipes, if not all of
> them.
>
> I tend to use aluminum foil to wrap up the pipes to be smoked later. I have
> used wind caps, as others have suggested, with success. This is to keep the
> pipes from spilling out the tobacco during evasive driving maneuvers. It is
> easy to remove the loosely affixed foil while driving, if you must.
>
>
> 4. Pipes and tools layout - As James Beard said, make use of whatever your
> vehicle provides you. Use dashboard cubbies, ashtrays, console
> compartments, whatever to arrange your pipes and tools to be in easy reach.
> Once you have decided on a layout, stick with it so you train yourself to do
> what you need to smoke, but keeping your eyes on the road and mirrors.
>
> - I keep a sleeve of pipe cleaners in my left chest pocket and on the
> passenger seat. I keep a lighter and a pipe tool in my right shirt or jeans
> jacket pocket and in a little catch-all cubby between the seats. I keep my
> pipes in another cubby in one vehicle or the glove box in another. Or if
> driving alone (most of the time - I can't keep friends <g>) I often use a
> small green Cabela's fishing gear bag that has a large top opening , making
> it easy to reach over without looking to pull out a pipe.
>
>
> 5. Clothing - I will place my sports coat (if bringing one for a meeting) in
> the back seat, under a wind breaker, to keep smoke off of it. I will wear a
> jeans jacket with multiple pockets. This is like a vehicle "smoking jacket"
> for me. If I don't wear the jeans jacket, I will have a large shirt with
> two chest pockets. having an over-shirt or cotton jacket protects nicer
> clothes underneath from developing burn holes. Also, I would think that
> nylon jackets and shirts would not be the safest garment to wear while
> smoking. I've seen nylon tents and cord burn - it would be nasty!
>
> - I suggest wearing sunglasses or clear glasses!. It is most unpleasant to
> get a speck of ash blown into one's eye.
>
> - I have taken to draping a cotton towel over my lap if I am wearing nicer
> pants to a meeting.
>
>
> 6. Lighters - I know a guy who uses matches almost exclusively, but
> especially so in the car, claiming it gives him more control and he is less
> likely to scorch his pipes.. I prefer using butane pipe lighters (my
> favorites are the IMCO lighters) while driving because: a) if you drop it,
> it will go out and b) if you drop it, it will go out. Several years ago, I
> posted about almost driving into a deep ditch and burning my ... manhood
> off, when I dropped a Zippo lighter onto my lap while driving. NOTE:
> Zippos don't go out when you drop them. My beloved Old boy stays at home.
> The slightest breeze blows it out, unlike Imco and Zippo.
>
> - Someone suggested wrapping "slippery" smooth lighters with a rubber band
> so they are easier to grip and less likely that you will drop them.
> Brilliant!
>
>
> 7. Lighting - Best to do this when not driving. Wait until the car is
> stopped (red light, rest area, etc.). However, I do not recommend
> relighting while filling car with gas!
>
> - okay, that said, please do what I say, not what I do. What I do is to
> wait until I have plenty of space around me on the road, while I'm on a
> straight section of highway and I'll re-light the pipe then. sometimes I
> will help hold the steering wheel with a knee. I do this quickly and
> efficiently. If you have the fan on high, turn it down before attempting
> relighting. If you have to, drop the butane lighter (it will go out) and
> grab steering wheel with that hand (my right).
>
>
> 8. Smoking - smoke slowly. If pipe goes out, wait until safe to re-light.
> (pull over if safe). Don't forget to watch your side and rear view mirrors.
>
>
> 9. Tamping & pipe cleaners - I like to use a pipe nail or a wooden golf tee
> to tamp lightly with. I do carry a pipe tool with a pick. But rarely have
> to use it. When I tamp, I try to tamp very lightly with the pipe in my
> mouth.
>
> - However, I sometimes hold the pipe between my thumb and forefinger of my
> left hand, the other three fingers grip the steering wheel. I then quickly
> and lightly tamp with my right hand. the grab the steering wheel with right
> hand and place pipe in mouth with left hand. I can keep my eyes on the road
> the whole time.
>
> - Using pipe cleaners - I use the same technique I just mentioned for
> tamping while driving.
>
>
> 10. Ventilation - Cracking open the driver's side window slightly will draw
> out the smoke away from your eyes. this is important if you choose to
> foolishly re-light while driving (don't do it). I happen to have sun (or
> are they moon?) roofs and cracking them a bit will help to draw out the
> smoke. I have to adjust them to the weather conditions of course. While
> driving my '92 Honda Civic, a gust of wind caught the brim of my favorite
> baseball/fishing hat and it went flying out the moon roof and under an
> 18-wheeler. Shucks.
>
>
> 11. Emptying ashes - wait until you can do it safely, at a stop. There are
> few sadder sights than watching a pipe bouncing in pieces down the highway
> in your side-view mirror. I'd suggest smoking cheap pipes (see #1 above).
>
> I'll suggest you check out google groups and use the search function for
> "smoking in the car" (from December 2004) and also "lighting a pipe in the
> car" (January 2005). A search of "smoking in the car" turns up several
> threads. James Beard had an excellent and succinct post in one or more of
> these threads.
>

your Mileage may vary <g>

TC
>
> --

 

[ruraldean]

Great thread. I smoke whilst driving, holding the pipe to one side initially to avoid being naild to the headrest in an accident (airbag). I changed this when I got a car with side and curtain airbags as they'll get you wherever you put your pipe. Now I just drive more carefully. :shock:

I have a Joby pipe bag laid open next to me on the passenger seat, with lighter, cleaners tamper and spare loaded and charred pipe in place. There's some great advice here, but the best piece without doubt is NEVER use a Zippo in a car. I've done it too.

 

[Buck]

Perhaps this previous post of mine from another board from a couple of years ago may be of some interest. Sorry for its length.

>
> In the winter, most of my smoking is in the car. Here is what I do and
> recommend, much of which I picked up from trial and error, but also the many
> useful suggestions shared here on ASP.
>
>
> 1. Pipes - many suggest smoking bent pipes in the car. Reasons: a) less
> likely to bang pipe against closed driver's side window (yes, it hurts), b)
> many deem it safer if an air bag goes off (less likely to be rammed down
> one's throat) and c) they are easier to re-light while driving.
>
> - I might also suggest loading one pipe more than what you think you may
> need. Why? if you have a problem with your pack or the 'baccy is too wet
> and not keeping lit (see #2 below) you can just switch to another pipe and
> not try to mess with the troublesome pipe while driving.
>
> - I would also suggest light-weight pipes, assuming you will clench them in
> your mouth for long periods of time (helps keep both hands on the wheel).
> At least there will be times when you will clench for a while.
>
> - Some suggested using beat up pipes or yard pipes because if you are not
> able to pay as much attention, you are more likely to scorch your pipe.
>
> - I do not recommend long pipes. Churchwardens get caught in the steering
> wheel. What a mess, especially the third time!
>
>
> 2. Tobacco - I like to smoke flakes, as they burn longer, meaning less
> changing of pipes. As I smoke more slowly on trips, I tend to really enjoy
> Virginia flakes more than ever. Whatever tobacco you choose to smoke, I'd
> suggest letting it dry a bit. Makes relighting occur less often and makes
> such easier and quicker.
>
>
> 3. Packing - Pack pipes and perform charring light prior to driving. pack
> carefully, as you won't be able to safely repack a pipe while driving. If
> you have a lengthy trip (i.e., a two- pipe or a three-pipe trip or longer),
> I'd suggest you do the charring light on at least two pipes, if not all of
> them.
>
> I tend to use aluminum foil to wrap up the pipes to be smoked later. I have
> used wind caps, as others have suggested, with success. This is to keep the
> pipes from spilling out the tobacco during evasive driving maneuvers. It is
> easy to remove the loosely affixed foil while driving, if you must.
>
>
> 4. Pipes and tools layout - As James Beard said, make use of whatever your
> vehicle provides you. Use dashboard cubbies, ashtrays, console
> compartments, whatever to arrange your pipes and tools to be in easy reach.
> Once you have decided on a layout, stick with it so you train yourself to do
> what you need to smoke, but keeping your eyes on the road and mirrors.
>
> - I keep a sleeve of pipe cleaners in my left chest pocket and on the
> passenger seat. I keep a lighter and a pipe tool in my right shirt or jeans
> jacket pocket and in a little catch-all cubby between the seats. I keep my
> pipes in another cubby in one vehicle or the glove box in another. Or if
> driving alone (most of the time - I can't keep friends ) I often use a
> small green Cabela's fishing gear bag that has a large top opening , making
> it easy to reach over without looking to pull out a pipe.
>
>
> 5. Clothing - I will place my sports coat (if bringing one for a meeting) in
> the back seat, under a wind breaker, to keep smoke off of it. I will wear a
> jeans jacket with multiple pockets. This is like a vehicle "smoking jacket"
> for me. If I don't wear the jeans jacket, I will have a large shirt with
> two chest pockets. having an over-shirt or cotton jacket protects nicer
> clothes underneath from developing burn holes. Also, I would think that
> nylon jackets and shirts would not be the safest garment to wear while
> smoking. I've seen nylon tents and cord burn - it would be nasty!
>
> - I suggest wearing sunglasses or clear glasses!. It is most unpleasant to
> get a speck of ash blown into one's eye.
>
> - I have taken to draping a cotton towel over my lap if I am wearing nicer
> pants to a meeting.
>
>
> 6. Lighters - I know a guy who uses matches almost exclusively, but
> especially so in the car, claiming it gives him more control and he is less
> likely to scorch his pipes.. I prefer using butane pipe lighters (my
> favorites are the IMCO lighters) while driving because: a) if you drop it,
> it will go out and b) if you drop it, it will go out. Several years ago, I
> posted about almost driving into a deep ditch and burning my ... manhood
> off, when I dropped a Zippo lighter onto my lap while driving. NOTE:
> Zippos don't go out when you drop them. My beloved Old boy stays at home.
> The slightest breeze blows it out, unlike Imco and Zippo.
>
> - Someone suggested wrapping "slippery" smooth lighters with a rubber band
> so they are easier to grip and less likely that you will drop them.
> Brilliant!
>
>
> 7. Lighting - Best to do this when not driving. Wait until the car is
> stopped (red light, rest area, etc.). However, I do not recommend
> relighting while filling car with gas!
>
> - okay, that said, please do what I say, not what I do. What I do is to
> wait until I have plenty of space around me on the road, while I'm on a
> straight section of highway and I'll re-light the pipe then. sometimes I
> will help hold the steering wheel with a knee. I do this quickly and
> efficiently. If you have the fan on high, turn it down before attempting
> relighting. If you have to, drop the butane lighter (it will go out) and
> grab steering wheel with that hand (my right).
>
>
> 8. Smoking - smoke slowly. If pipe goes out, wait until safe to re-light.
> (pull over if safe). Don't forget to watch your side and rear view mirrors.
>
>
> 9. Tamping & pipe cleaners - I like to use a pipe nail or a wooden golf tee
> to tamp lightly with. I do carry a pipe tool with a pick. But rarely have
> to use it. When I tamp, I try to tamp very lightly with the pipe in my
> mouth.
>
> - However, I sometimes hold the pipe between my thumb and forefinger of my
> left hand, the other three fingers grip the steering wheel. I then quickly
> and lightly tamp with my right hand. the grab the steering wheel with right
> hand and place pipe in mouth with left hand. I can keep my eyes on the road
> the whole time.
>
> - Using pipe cleaners - I use the same technique I just mentioned for
> tamping while driving.
>
>
> 10. Ventilation - Cracking open the driver's side window slightly will draw
> out the smoke away from your eyes. this is important if you choose to
> foolishly re-light while driving (don't do it). I happen to have sun (or
> are they moon?) roofs and cracking them a bit will help to draw out the
> smoke. I have to adjust them to the weather conditions of course. While
> driving my '92 Honda Civic, a gust of wind caught the brim of my favorite
> baseball/fishing hat and it went flying out the moon roof and under an
> 18-wheeler. Shucks.
>
>
> 11. Emptying ashes - wait until you can do it safely, at a stop. There are
> few sadder sights than watching a pipe bouncing in pieces down the highway
> in your side-view mirror. I'd suggest smoking cheap pipes (see #1 above).
>
> I'll suggest you check out google groups and use the search function for
> "smoking in the car" (from December 2004) and also "lighting a pipe in the
> car" (January 2005). A search of "smoking in the car" turns up several
> threads. James Beard had an excellent and succinct post in one or more of
> these threads.
>

your Mileage may vary

TC
>
> --

Please don't anyone be offended but this list is a prime example of the whole
host of unwelcome and extremely dangerous distraction that smoking in
general is when driving a car. This is why smoking is forbidden to pilots and
ships captains (in port).......it takes the prime operators undivided attention
off the job at hand.

Do I smoke while driving? Nope. Why? I don't want my attention to be off my driving
even for a second 'cause a second is all it takes to die or kill someone else driving
a car. I have loads of time to puff in peace out from behind the steering wheel. :mrgreen:

 

[Anonymous]

Buck,
I beg to differ, as stated in several earlier posts I am a much more calm & relaxed driver when smoking my pipe. I believe this makes me a safer driver as I'm not likely to tailgate, flip off other drivers, cut people off, or get angry when others do the before mentioned to me. I tend to focus more on driving, the smoking bit seems to come natural without a struggle in lighting etc. I guess I'm fortunate in that there are several stoplights between my work and the bypass to get home so this usually gives me multiple opportunities to relight and tamp till the bowl gets going good, then when on the bypass going 70 mph I can just puff in peace.

 

[HistoryMajor]

I agree that there is every potential for it to be dangerous. But, IMO, if you've dried out your tobacco, packed and lit carefully, ideally you don't need to relight for some time. Personally, I don't smoke flakes, I smoke ribbon cut tobacco or something similar so that in the event of a relight, it only takes a quick shot with the lighter.

The alternative I suppose is cigars...

 

[Mikem]

..............................
Please don't anyone be offended but this list is a prime example of the whole host of unwelcome and extremely dangerous distraction that smoking in general is when driving a car. This is why smoking is forbidden to pilots and ships captains (in port).......it takes the prime operators undivided attention off the job at hand. ........................

In my 35+ years in aviation (and 99% of that in commercial aviation) somebody forgot to tell the vast majority of smoking pilots that I know this tidbit of information. I can remember until the days that the FAA banned smoking on aircraft entirely and installed smoke detectors of pilots grounding an airplane because the ashtrays in the flight deck were full or missing. What is the difference of them smoking and drinking coffee while flying? I've seen more damage to aircraft and pilots inattention due to a cup of coffee they are enjoying then any cigarette being smoked. There are far more accidents caused by idiots with their cell phones than smoking while driving. I have a bowl on the way home and it sure relaxes me and makes me more attentive while driving with a bowl of my favorite blend while making the drive home. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Buck]

Buck,
I beg to differ, as stated in several earlier posts I am a much more calm & relaxed driver when smoking my pipe. I believe this makes me a safer driver as I'm not likely to tailgate, flip off other drivers, cut people off, or get angry when others do the before mentioned to me. I tend to focus more on driving, the smoking bit seems to come natural without a struggle in lighting etc. I guess I'm fortunate in that there are several stoplights between my work and the bypass to get home so this usually gives me multiple opportunities to relight and tamp till the bowl gets going good, then when on the bypass going 70 mph I can just puff in peace.

I will never argue that the pipe calms the savage beast. HOWEVER, not all
drivers are skilled at multi-tasking it takes to drive and do anything else at
the same time. :affraid:

 

[Mikem]

..................I will never argue that the pipe calms the savage beast. HOWEVER, not all
drivers are skilled at multi-tasking it takes to drive and do anything else at
the same time. :affraid:

That one I will agree with you 100%. :lol!:

 

[FibberMcGee]

When I am driving my own car, I seldom smoke simply because it is almost always a short hop to the grocery store or pub or something like that. However, I repair heating systems and our service area is quite large, I sometimes have as much as a one hour ride between jobs, so I almost always have a pipe in my service van.

 

[Anonymous]

I will never argue that the pipe calms the savage beast. HOWEVER, not all
drivers are skilled at multi-tasking it takes to drive and do anything else at
the same time. :affraid:

Granted,
it's the cell phone talkers that get me. They are so easy to spot, they ride in the passing lane at just under the speed limit, with one hand up to their ear, no turn signals, slam on the brake at the last second before turning... Grrrr... "HANG UP AND DRIVE YOU IDIOT".....
errr...I better light up!

 

[Tom Clemons]

Well, as I think is evident from my lengthy post and all the cautions I mentioned, I agree that smoking a pipe while driving is dangerous.

Yes, it also tames the savage beast. I do find that I drive slower, am more tolerant and I think I pay more attention to the road and other drivers. I cease to be in a hurry. However, when tamping, lighting, using a pipe cleaner, etc., clearly attention is divided at best.

I choose to smoke while I drive home from work on my 70 minute commute on most days. I will also smoke a pipe periodically when on the few trips back east to visit family while on the interstate. But again, I take precautions to reduce the distraction pipe smoking invariably causes. I certainly urge caution. Yes, I do ALL of the precautions I listed above - especially having several pipes pre-loaded and have already performed the charring light on all of them. In serious traffic, I'll set the pipe down. I don't try to pack a pipe while driving anymore - the precautions eliminate the need for this. I mentioned one close call - the incident with the zippo lighter shook me up and woke me up, even though I see the levity in the experience and tried to relate that.


"It is a dangerous thing walking out your front door." Driving in and of itself is a dangerous thing to do without any distractions. If you choose to smoke while driving, you might be better off smoking cigars instead of a pipe. It is probably safer.

My advice is don't smoke while driving. However, it is still a free country for the most part and if you choose to do so, please be as safe as you can about it.

There, I feel better. Thanks for indulging me. Be safe, y'all.

TC

 

[Buck]

My advice is don't smoke while driving. However, it is still a free country for the most part and if you choose to do so, please be as safe as you can about it.

There, I feel better. Thanks for indulging me. Be safe, y'all.

TC

A well take point for all but the most gifted drivers. Pipe smoking is all
about being a calm pastime best pursued while stationary.

That said, the want of a pipe is a fine reason to park it an enjoy!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[jlbst49]

That was an unbelievably detailed set of directions of smoking while driving. Ive tried a few times, but just cant get comfortable with it. Seems Im a stationary smoker.

Jeff

 

[Dubbya]

I use a sewing thimble

It might not be he-man but it works

A plain white ceramic one so that you don't get a singed finger from a live ember. :idea:

 

[Dubbya]

Buck,
I beg to differ, as stated in several earlier posts I am a much more calm & relaxed driver when smoking my pipe. I believe this makes me a safer driver as I'm not likely to tailgate, flip off other drivers, cut people off, or get angry when others do the before mentioned to me. I tend to focus more on driving, the smoking bit seems to come natural without a struggle in lighting etc. I guess I'm fortunate in that there are several stoplights between my work and the bypass to get home so this usually gives me multiple opportunities to relight and tamp till the bowl gets going good, then when on the bypass going 70 mph I can just puff in peace.

I will never argue that the pipe calms the savage beast. HOWEVER, not all
drivers are skilled at multi-tasking it takes to drive and do anything else at
the same time. :affraid:

Some people can't multitask like driving and breathing at the same time. :lol:

 

[BrAnt]

Somebody has to come out with the handy fingertip-thimble-tamper. :lol:

I wouldn't laugh! That is a good idea!

It's a damn good idea.
I want one!

If the Czeck tool had a bigger hole on top I think that would work. Maybe make the tools shorter too. Hmm...

I also smoke on my way to work listening to classical music. My job is stressful at times so this makes me a very calm person coming in for the midnight shift. I have noticed that a half a bowl on the way home lets me go to sleep a lot easier as well.