by Mark Silva
"I know how difficult it can be to break this habit,'' President Barack Obama said today, as he signed a bill handing the federal government regulatory power over tobacco as a drug.
Judging from various interviews and statements from the White House, kicking that habit is not only difficult, but also a work in progress.
"What's going on with the smoking thing? '' CBS News' Katie Couric asked Obama in January - a much easier question than her query for Sarah Palin about which newspapers she reads.
"You know, we're doing fine with it,'' Obama replied. "I know everybody likes to poke, you know. I haven't had an interview yet where this one doesn't get raised. ''
" Well, I think people just wanna know how it's going,'' she said.
" Yeah, we're doing fine,'' he said. "I'll do better if people don't keep on bringing it up.''
But they keep bringing it up.
David Axelrod, the president's chief political advisor, was asked on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, in his appearance on the program in Washington recently, if he has smelled smoke on the boss' breath lately.
"The president and I are close, but we don't get that close,'' Axelrod said.
Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, recently said: "I think the president would likely tell you, as I think . . . anybody would that has smoked or been addicted to smoking, that it is a lifelong struggle.''
In preparation for the signing of today's tobacco regulation bill, Gibbs said of Obama on Friday: "He understands the struggles of millions of Americans with tobacco.''
Comments
Would you just lay off the President on whether he smokes or not?
Just give it a rest.
I don't care if he smokes 2 at a time, 5 packs a day, as long as he's getting the results he is.
Posted by: ornery | June 22, 2009 2:59 PM
I agree leave the guy alone about it!
He is doing what is needed for our children to not smoke and it is legal for him to smoke. So even if he does there is nothing wrong in smoking.
Posted by: Jaimie | June 22, 2009 4:22 PM
"I don't care if he smokes 2 at a time, 5 packs a day, as long as he's getting the results he is.
Posted by: ornery "
I don't care what he smokes either, but I had to ask about those results you mentioned.
What results?
Posted by: K | June 22, 2009 4:24 PM
Bravo! Mr. President,for me you will live long not without good health, as you love the Youths to live long with good health.
Posted by: Amaechi C. | June 22, 2009 4:50 PM
Obama should smoke a Torch electronic cig. He can keep the nicotine and dump the crap that causes cancer. No smell or smoke.
Posted by: Norman | June 24, 2009 11:45 AM
I think our President Mr.Obama should consider a much safer alternative smoking. I've been a traditional smoker all my life & the only thing that overcame to aid me to quit tobacco smoking was an Electronic Cig. So I can freely suggest it to our president and to anyone who wants a second chance to give an Electronic Cig a try. :) I purchased mine from http://www.Electroniccig.com
Posted by: electronic cigarette | August 8, 2009 2:51 PM