by Michael Muskal
Reformed smokers like to say that the hardest thing they ever did was to break their nicotine habit. That may not apply to President Obama, a one-time puffer who today said he would sign legislation to regulate tobacco.
"This bill has obviously been a long time coming," the president said in the Rose Garden. "We've known for years, even decades, about the harmful, addictive, and often deadly effects of tobacco products. Each year Americans pay nearly $100 billion in added health care costs due to smoking. Each day about a thousand young people under the age of 18 become regular smokers."
During the campaign, Obama had the usual love-hate relationship with Sot-Weed (the American Colonial term for the killer leaf). He was seen chomping on Nicorette gum to ease the withdrawal cravings and often said he would stop smoking to set a better example.
When Obama appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" program in December, interviewer Tom Brokaw noted that the White House was a no-smoking zone.
"Have you stopped smoking," Brokaw asked.
"I have," Obama said. "What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon."
"Wait a minute," Brokaw interjected, "that means you haven't stopped."
"Fair enough," Obama said. "What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. You will not see any violations of these rules in the White House."
The White House had no immediate comment today on Obama's smoking. For those keeping track, the no-smoking rule was imposed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back when she was first lady.
In his televised comments, Obama stressed the bipartisan support for the anti-tobacco bill, which allows the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the making and marketing of tobacco products. For the president, the political cooperation was important, especially as Congress heads into the healthcare reform debate, which is expected to be far more contentious than approving a bill dealing with tobacco - which was declared a health hazard four decades ago.
"Leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children, and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is," Obama said. "And after a decade of opposition, all of us are finally about to achieve the victory with this bill, a bill that truly defines change in Washington."
Comments
What a snarky and un-professional headline. I'm beginning to think this blog has an unquenchable anti-Obama bias...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | June 12, 2009 2:30 PM
From my experience as a physician, it is premature to say that Obama is an ex-smoker. I do not question Obama's truthfulness, only his understanding of what it means to quit.
Posted by: Ron M | June 12, 2009 3:55 PM
Quitting cigarettes is so tough. I am just going through that phase !
Posted by: Kamal Hasa | June 12, 2009 3:59 PM
Are we moving in the direction of making Tobacco an illegal substance?
http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=5511
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Posted by: Blake | June 12, 2009 7:22 PM
I am a former smoker and I think this is a good idea. It is very hard to quit smoking. It is almost as hard as getting off drug and alcohol, because you are addicted to the nicotine and what every else is in the cigarettes. It really does a bad job on your lung and you will never breath the same again. They will never stop producing cigarettes , but at least maybe this will stop some of the younger generation from smoking
Posted by: Erma | June 12, 2009 9:27 PM
After the 'loaded guns in the parks' provision on the credit card reform act allowed by the Dems., you gotta wonder what Republican riders might be attached to this one.
Perhaps a required loyalty oath at the license bureau? Maybe a required prayer at the post office when buying stamps? How about everyone that votes has to prove they are not gay?
I'm just sayin'.. The GODP just might try it and the Dems just might let em do it.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | June 12, 2009 10:10 PM
As a smoker, I don't particularly care what the government does to the tobacco industry but the only thing I can see here is "smoke and mirrors". If the government wants to truly make an impact then just make tobacco illegal and subsidize the farmers until they start planting another crop but don't expect to see this because of the almighty tax revenue that comes in from the sale of tobacco.
I would also like to point out that these new laws will most likely increase the potential of new smokers as human nature always prevails when it comes to trying things we are told are bad or dangerous for us; i.e. sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, running with an object in your mouth, etc...
Posted by: SgtX | June 13, 2009 9:01 AM
The White House having no immediate comment on whether Obama has quit smoking , is a sure sign that he is still smoking. Smokers cost the US taxpayers billions of dollars in health care, and I would think he who is insisting on free health insurance for everyone would muster up enough courage to quit cold turkey. Those who get free health insurance need to practice good health guidelines.And his free health insurance is paid for by the American taxpayer.
Posted by: Linda | June 13, 2009 11:30 AM
There was a good discussion on this on Washington Journal this morning. One of the things that was brought up was that the FDA may start being able to regulate the additives like arsenic and ammonia that helps nicotine get into our bloodstream and brain faster. They probably will not be able to take all the nicotine out which is what people get hooked on, but it will make the delivery in the body slow down. I am so much smarter since I quit...I should have done it much sooner in my life.
Shout-out to Kamal..my hat's off to you...you CAN make it! I did!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | June 13, 2009 4:28 PM
I smoked my last ciggy on Dec 31, 1986.
Quitting was one of the hardest things I ever tried. It took 5 years.
I quit pot literally overnight. Put it down and never even thought about it.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | June 13, 2009 11:48 PM
" Tobacco doesn't kill !! People do !! "
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | June 14, 2009 2:33 PM