With Columbus's discovery of America in 1492, tobacco reached Europe, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, a flourishing culture developed around pipes, tobacco varieties, and smoking rituals, particularly in the Netherlands with its tradition of clay pipe production.
Pine smoking became a social ritual: men (and sometimes women) shared stories around the hearth, focusing on pipe shapes, tobacco blends, and maintenance.
In the Netherlands, the culture has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage since 2015, preserving its artisanal and social aspects, despite declining popularity due to health awareness.
Today, it lives on in clubs, lectures, and competitions such as "who can keep their pipe smoking the longest," with a slight increase in enthusiasts.
Worldwide, it encompasses a mix of tradition, art, and community, from African to Asian variations.
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