Well, I shouldn’t be smoking at all, but I have a couple a year. I also enjoy a pipe at times, but again, not very frequently. It’s usually on weekends when I can sit outside in the yard, enjoy a cigar or pipe, and a good bourbon. And that precludes two-thirds of the living here in northern Illinois...
I had a CAO Brazilia. Enjoyable. I usually smoke Montecristo’s or Ashtons, but this was the best available at the liquor store so...
I think you’re on to something. This “cold turkey” and “count the days I’ve been good” thing is just too extreme.
Also, the idea of “forbidden fruit” and something not being “allowed” has the seeds of failure built right in.
The extreme moderation you practice seems sensible to me.