[templar]

Actually, smoking does not affect the taste of food in any appreciable way, that is a myth.

I'm an ex-smoker (20 years). It isn't a myth.

It also affects your sense of smell, which is a large part of tasting and enjoying food.

[Freedom4US]

Nonsense! I'm a quitter too, several times, for years at a time, so I have plenty of experience as a 'non smoker' as well. Nicotine does reduce blood flow to the extremities, resulting in noticeably colder feet during the winter, but for me personally, there is no appreciable difference whatsoever. I suppose huffing a ciggie whilst dining would deaden taste buds, but that's a different issue.

Taste, after all, is a matter of taste. I tend towards german beer, belgian chocolate, south american coffee, etc. I find it amusing when others try telling me I have no sense of taste or smell, while they themselves ingest piss water beer, ersatz coffee and candle wax chocolate bars.