Just curious what you guys think. I had to fill out some medical forms and one of the questions was are you a smoker? I have never had a cigerette in my life and don't intend too, But i have a couple of cigars a month. What would you have said? Does occasional cigar smoking constitute being a smoker?

A couple a month? No, I don't think that would count as being a smoker...at best it sounds like you occasionally partake, which means it is not a habit or need that drives you.

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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Thomas Jefferson

Definately not. Especially as far as insurance is concerned. It's like when you go in for surgery they ask do you drink alcohol. They don't really care if you drink socially it's more a question or are you an alcoholic.

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Bobby

It's funny, I've been seeing the same doctor almost 10 times out of the year for about 4 years now, and we go over all my issues and what not, and he literally laughs everytime I tell him I try to make it a point to have one a week. He says that if I was having 2 to 5 a day, every day of the year, then yes I would be smoker.

So from my stand point, you are not a smoker either.

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Tim B. (The Beard) -Coffee- "A patented mixture of ritalin and prozac with a little bit of jameson for taste."

"If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go" Mark Twain

Please understand people, do not advise that indulging in a cigar "once in a while" defines you as a "non-smoker". Indeed, ANY form of tobacco use is considered as a "smoker". I guess Clinton was not a smoker because he "didnt inhale". oh please,.Your doctor has the answer, not an uninformed forum. 

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BaDaBing

"Comedy Is Medicine For The Mind"

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

Your doctor has the answer, not an uninformed forum. 

I think you said it all right there. You don't have the answer any more than the rest of us do, and yet somehow what you say carries more weight? Are you his doctor?

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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Thomas Jefferson

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

not an uninformed forum. 

What is up with all the trolls signing up to post 1 asinine statement? This forum is well informed and part of the reason it is here is to support and inform each other. Instead of simply writing that you should bring this subject up with your doctor and discuss it with him you call us all stupid? Nice.

My suggestion is to discuss the situation honestly with your doctor. Those blanket forms don't explain your situation well. I often leave things blank and talk it over with the doctor and let him mark the form as he likes.

No, I dont claim the right answers, but I do know how insurance companies underwrite. You must understand that when blood levels are taken, alcohol and tobacco play a big part in the result. So please don't think a cigar is "OK" when it comes to medical. Tobacco affects oxygen in the body. Whether you agree or not is fine with me. I am not a doctor, but I know about these issues.

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BaDaBing

"Comedy Is Medicine For The Mind"

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

I am not a doctor, but I know about these issues.

great. do you know about the ability to lie. since a person who enjoys a cigar once a week probably won't have any evidence in their bloodstream, i think saying "no i don't smoke" is probably a safe answer.

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Legionnaire Apparel, serious clothing!

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

No, I dont claim the right answers, but I do know how insurance companies underwrite. You must understand that when blood levels are taken, alcohol and tobacco play a big part in the result. So please don't think a cigar is "OK" when it comes to medical. Tobacco affects oxygen in the body. Whether you agree or not is fine with me. I am not a doctor, but I know about these issues.

Your opinion on the matter is fine. If you have some kind of medical background or are knowledgeable on the subject just say so. People would be more receptive to your answer to the question. I just took offense to you saying this is an uniformed forum when that is far from the truth. I agree you shouldn't be getting medical advice from a cigar forum per se but to ask the advice of others is what our little brotherhood is about. I am not offended by your advice and I agree that you need to communicate what you are doing with your doctor. Questionnaire asks do you drink. I always leave it blank and tell my doctor while I do not drink regularly this is what I have consumed in the past year. If you do not divulge truthful information to your doctor are you really getting honest advice from him? On an insurance form I would not say I am a smoker. When I think of smoker I think of cigarettes and I am sure that is what insurance companies are getting after. I smoke a cigar sometimes once a week, once a month, 3 times a week, etc. I am not dependent on cigars and having to light one up every hour. All just my opinion though. Best advice is talk to your doctor.

j0z3r:

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

Your doctor has the answer, not an uninformed forum. 

I think you said it all right there. You don't have the answer any more than the rest of us do, and yet somehow what you say carries more weight? Are you his doctor?

Thank you Joe, Jake, Bobby, Dennis and havefun79.

We are here because we love cigars and want to share and know other peoples thoughts, views, experiences and so many other wonderful things about each other that revolve around our common ground. CIGARS.

Do you like cigars MR. and/or MRS. "eyegolfer18@comcast.net"? ... If that's even your real name...

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Tim B. (The Beard) -Coffee- "A patented mixture of ritalin and prozac with a little bit of jameson for taste."

"If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go" Mark Twain

I have mentioned to my doctor in conversation about the cigar smoking and he said in essence no big deal, but this was just a general medical information survey. I just wondered what other cigar smokers think. I tried to put occasional cigars but they wanted a yes or no answer. I dont think that I am a smoker as I am not addicted to them, but wondered what others who enjoy them would say.

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

Please understand people, do not advise that indulging in a cigar "once in a while" defines you as a "non-smoker". Indeed, ANY form of tobacco use is considered as a "smoker". I guess Clinton was not a smoker because he "didnt inhale". oh please,.Your doctor has the answer, not an uninformed forum. 

Please understand, as a new poster, that the question is that whether he was a "Smoker" or not...
If you ask the question: Are you a Non-Smoker, That implies that you abstain from ALL tobacco products
But if you ask the question: Are you a Smoker, that, to me, implies do you have a habit of smoking enough to qualify for a "Yes"

Also note, that as an avid cigar smoker (2-3 a week) I have participated in MANY forums and discussions and seen lots of research that goes both ways (you can even use the "search" function on the forums here to see some of these posts) on cigars and smoking and since I partake in smoking as a hobby NOT an addiction these concerns are very valid and studied for they are a personal stake for me. So please, do not come here on these forums and use the term "Un-informed"... I know there is someone out there that knows more than I do so you may use the term "UNDER-Informed" but then you could say the same thing about all doctors...

eyegofler18@comcast.net:

No, I dont claim the right answers, but I do know how insurance companies underwrite. You must understand that when blood levels are taken, alcohol and tobacco play a big part in the result. So please don't think a cigar is "OK" when it comes to medical. Tobacco affects oxygen in the body. Whether you agree or not is fine with me. I am not a doctor, but I know about these issues.

I appreciate your views and I am also WAAAY under-informed about insurance companies and I don't doubt you know what you are talking about... and I'm not a doctor either but I also know about these issues and such and the big deck of cards can be stacked in a bad bad way for some people... the only real debate is whether you think that when you get sick if you claim will get denied due to the insurance company finding out about your cigars... In my family I have a history of Blood clots, Anuirisms, cancer and diabetes... But I still smoke and am proud of it, yet when I do fill out new Health insurance forms I will put that I'm a smoker, not because of my 2-3 a week, but because I plan to smoke MORE than that as I get older and I don't want any one of those conditions I mentioned to get denied because Big Brother Insurance found a Xikar lighter in my pocket after I collapsed.


That being said if you have a link to a article that tells of insurance and smoking I'd like to read it,

oh! and stick around awhile and post some more

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In Tim's Beard we TRUST

I think I butchered Aneurysms...... ooops

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In Tim's Beard we TRUST

I love the trolls that sign up for 2 asinine posts

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Iam a standing member of PETA ...... People Eating Tasty Animals