The informational aspect if this poll topic is another about site demographics: how we currently use tobacco or nicotine, if at all. The discussion aspect can be stories about tobacco usage while canoeing now; or, more likely since many of us may have given up tobacco, it can be stories from the past.
I haven't used tobacco or nicotine products for 40 years, having given up smoking at age 36 after beginning at age 18. So, I really had quit before any serious canoe tripping. However, I do have one story that went on for years.
My initial 18 years of serious paddle-mania was mostly whitewater canoeing. A long-time whitewater tripping friend and frequent tandem partner, Tom, was a smoker. He used to smoke while running rapids and then throw his butts in the bottom of the canoe. I asked him why he did this instead of just chucking them in the river like everyone else. He said something to the effect that his practice was more conducive to preventing water pollution and ecological harm. Okay, environmentally correct, Tom.
Of course, running hard whitewater in open canoes inevitably results in a canoe filling with water several times a day. This necessitates frequent and quick bailing between rapids with a scoop, or pulling over to the bank to dump the whole boat out. Consequently, Tom's boat was always completely butt free at the end of every trip. When asked about the efficacy of his butt practice, he said, "I try but the river doesn't always comply."
This went on for years until Tom gave up smoking. Not a story of model ecology, but I'm more interested in true experiences with tobacco than politically correct silence.
I haven't used tobacco or nicotine products for 40 years, having given up smoking at age 36 after beginning at age 18. So, I really had quit before any serious canoe tripping. However, I do have one story that went on for years.
My initial 18 years of serious paddle-mania was mostly whitewater canoeing. A long-time whitewater tripping friend and frequent tandem partner, Tom, was a smoker. He used to smoke while running rapids and then throw his butts in the bottom of the canoe. I asked him why he did this instead of just chucking them in the river like everyone else. He said something to the effect that his practice was more conducive to preventing water pollution and ecological harm. Okay, environmentally correct, Tom.
Of course, running hard whitewater in open canoes inevitably results in a canoe filling with water several times a day. This necessitates frequent and quick bailing between rapids with a scoop, or pulling over to the bank to dump the whole boat out. Consequently, Tom's boat was always completely butt free at the end of every trip. When asked about the efficacy of his butt practice, he said, "I try but the river doesn't always comply."
This went on for years until Tom gave up smoking. Not a story of model ecology, but I'm more interested in true experiences with tobacco than politically correct silence.