by Hannah Lauder

Created on: June 11, 2009

What an interesting question. I buy cigarettes.

Every other day or so, I go to the gas station and buy some cigarettes. Marlboro Lights, usually. If I'm at an airport, I make sure to go by the duty-free. Cartons can be had at these establishments for about $29 US there, quite the bargain. And they are even sold on planes during international flights.

My mother buys cigarettes. The extraordinarily cheap sort that labels itself as "little cigarillos". Vile-tasting things, they are. She recently complained to me that they had risen the price to $2. Far too high a price if you ask me. The Lights are harsher than the harshest full-flavor, so do not even get me started on the full flavoreds. It's more than enough to make you gag.

My sister's partner buys cigarettes. Newports. Menthols are fine for me now and then, but some prefer them exclusively. Newports are usually associated with teenage potheads and trailer parks.

Some people don't buy cigarettes. They buy rolling tobacco with which to make cigarettes. Rolling tobacco is most readily available in smoke shops, which sell all manner of smoking paraphernalia, often including cigarettes. There was a very small one near my college. Papers and flavored tobaccos. Cigars. You could even buy rare brands of cigarettes and cloves individually. The shop provided a small bag for this purpose and even included a free package of matches. The proprietor would speak with the old gentlemen at a small table. Each and every one of them would be smoking something - that they had bought.

Others smoke and yet do not buy anything at all. It is, after all, perfectly alright to smoke as long as you bum. I myself have only gathered the courage to beg strangers for a light. Nevertheless, people make it an art. If I have at least ten in my pack, I'll give one out if asked. Provided, of course, I am sure they are over 18. People who bum are generally polite. In fact, they have been for the most part the only people who have ever called me "ma'am" and "miss". Though today some guy called me "baby girl".

He did not get one.

There are non-smokers who never buy cigarettes. There are non-smokers who buy cigarettes for other people. And then there are "non-smokers" who buy a pack for the giddy thrill or to smoke while drunk.

Your average gas station, grocery or convenience store keeps several varieties of cigarettes in stock. I have even seen them restocking the display, kept behind the counter, with a warning that you will be carded young man or lady. If no one bought, then there would be no point in keeping the display around or tightly guarding it.

So I am reasonably certain that people still buy cigarettes these days.

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