 My parents were smokers. Can't remember what my dad smoked. My mother smoked unfiltered - I think Pall Mall or Lucky Srike.
I didn't smoke until after I had a job and could afford it. So I think it was late 1964 or early 1965 when a pack cost 25¢. |
 I was never a heavy smoker. Usually just one or two a day. I preferred filtered. I tried a few and my favorite was Winston. I remember that I didn't like Kent. Back then they came in soft-packs.
Once in a while, especially when I had a cold or sore throat, I would go for a menthol brand - probably KOOL. August 10, 1965 I bought my first Tiparillo, a skinny cigar with a plastic tip costing 30¢.
They were expensive, so it was only a rare treat. I recall smoking one after midnight driving home from work on a humid an hot night with the car's top down. |
 I didn't smoke in Hawaii at Peace Corps training. But I did in Fiji.
I discovered Benson & Hedges there (American brands were not readily available) and they remain the best I ever tried. Once again my spending cash was very limited, so I would turn to the
most common brand available, Pall Mall (again in the British version - same name different tobacco product). Two things going for it. Firstly, they were the cheapest. Secondly instead of 20 per pack, they only had 10.
And if you were really desparate and couldn't even afford to buy a pack Devi would sell you a single cigrette. I tried a Fiji tobacco once. It was very strong and I couldn't stand it.
You could buy it in the market. It is coiled up and sold by the foot. Seller unwinds the specified amount and cuts it off. This just greasy leaves with no outer skin.
It was up the smoker to then cut off a length and wrap it in newspaper. |
| In New Zealand I only had a cigarette or two after supper. I never smoked at school. When David was born in 1974 I swore off of them, only cheating during a visit to Fiji
in 1976 where it was a prerequisite to smoke and drink beer while playing bridge. So, at the time I write this I am smoke-free for 48 years. |
