June 23, 2009 1:21 PM

Obama Acknowledges Occasional Smoking Habit

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
White House
(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
At his press conference this afternoon, President Obama, who calls himself a "former smoker," acknowledged that he still occasionally falls "off the wagon."

The president said that he does not smoke in front of his kids or the rest of his family, and compared his situation to that of a recovering alcoholic.

"I've said before that as a former smoker I constantly struggle with it," the president said. "Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes. Am I a daily smoker, a constant smoker? No."

"I would say that I am 95 percent cured, but there are times where, there are times where I mess up," he added.

Mr. Obama invoked Alcoholics Anonymous in discussing grappling with his craving for cigarettes.

"I don't know what to tell you, other than the fact that, you know, like folks who go to A.A., you know, once you've gone down this path, then, you know, it's something you continually struggle with, which is precisely why the legislation we signed was so important, because what we don't want is kids going down that path in the first place," he said.

The president yesterday signed legislation granting regulatory responsibility over tobacco products to the Food and Drug Administration.

He complained in the press conference that he is asked about his smoking "every month or so," but said he understands because the topic is "an interesting human interest story."

This was the first clear response the White House has offered on Mr. Obama's smoking since he took office.

Mr. Obama also teased a reporter for tying the question to the legislation he signed Monday, which he said is focused on children, not adults. "You just think it's neat to ask me about my smoking," the president said.

More Coverage Of Obama's Press Conference:
Obama: "Appalled And Outraged" At Iran Violence
Obama Lauds Public Health Care Option, But Stops Short Of Ultimatum
Obama Acknowledges Occasional Smoking Habit
Full Text | Full Video
Highlights: Obama's Press Conference
Analysis: A More Contentious Obama Press Conference
Washington Unplugged: Obama Ratchets Up Iran Rhetoric

Add a Comment See all 13 Comments
by rcoldman September 17, 2009 7:12 PM EDT
Come on guys! What's all the fuss about? I have it on good authority that the president now only smokes one cigarette at a time when he's wearing patches.
Reply to this comment
by toasterlegs July 7, 2009 11:27 AM EDT
Perhaps the President would find it easier to quit if he were to suddenly find himself unemployed. It worked for me - my job went away earlier this year, leaving me unable to afford the ever increasing excise tax(es) on cigarettes. Imagine my joy. So if our President is looking for sympathy, he should look in the dictionary - because he won't find it here.
Reply to this comment
by Paul-Solomon June 24, 2009 8:55 PM EDT
What's Obama have in common with Joe Camel? The cool iconic cartoon character retired in 1998 because of governmental intervention. It seems Joe Camel was becoming as recognizable as Mickey Mouse. Obama is a cool, iconic character too, and pictures of him smoking that are surfacing on Internet news sites are irresponsible. The sweeping legislation that he signed into law on Monday is being overshadowed by his responses to a reporter at a White House press conference on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the question comes up: Who cares? Kids, that's who. The FDA now has authority to ban flavorings and fancy packaging geared toward young people. We don't need to see an image of the President with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Enough already.
http://www.paulsolomon.blogsot.com
Reply to this comment
by Paul-Solomon June 23, 2009 7:53 PM EDT
Obama's smoking is a hot topic. Should it be?
http://www.paulsolomon.blogspot.com
Reply to this comment
by Paul-Solomon June 23, 2009 7:51 PM EDT
In between fielding questions dealing with the unrest in Iran, the fate of the economy, and the perils of global warming, Obama admitted that he still smokes occasionally, and that it is an ongoing battle. The President didn't explain where exactly he lights up, but since he doesn't do it in front of his family, and the media hasn't witnessed him smoking, it seems that the question asked of him was unnecessary. The sweeping new legislation passed yesterday giving the FDA authority to regulate tobacco was a major step in protecting children. Obama has said he got hooked on cigarettes as a teenager, and as he signed the bill in the White House Rose Garden yesterday, he said "The decades-long effort to protect our children from the harmful effects of tobacco has emerged victorious." That should be the story, not Obama's own struggle with nicotine. He is, after all, a role model for children. Why complicate the issue?
Reply to this comment
by HGOODGUY June 23, 2009 4:30 PM EDT
IF YOU HAD AS MUCH ON YOUR PLATE AS OBAMA HAS WOULDN'T YOU COP A SMOKE ONCE IN AWHILE???
Reply to this comment
by Israel_Peck July 30, 2009 12:41 PM EDT
HAhaha - that's exactly what I was thinking. It's a little odd that Obama smokes, given the current social pressures against it, but he's definitely not the first president to do it. Heck, George Washington use have slaves grow his tobacco! US has made a lot of strides since then.
by antoniof123 June 23, 2009 2:24 PM EDT
Well looks like he is going to have to pay more for his smokes.

But really who cares I mean come on this is kind of funny maybe.
Reply to this comment
by geminispyder-2009 June 23, 2009 2:07 PM EDT
"He complained in the press conference that he is regularly asked about his smoking but said he understands because it is a "human interest" story."

Well, yeah. Aside from the crap that Obama gets for smoking, the media needs to have something to talk about because reporting on the condition of our troops, the struggles that the American family has to go through during this economic crisis, and the ineptitude of our legislature just isn't good enough for the all-about-ratings media.
Reply to this comment
by mcintoshlou June 23, 2009 2:05 PM EDT
WELL WELL, THIS SHOULD MAKE THE REPUBLICAN'S WET THEIR PANTS
Reply to this comment
by CLoverNYC1 June 23, 2009 1:56 PM EDT
At his press conference this afternoon, President Obama, who calls himself a "former smoker," acknowledged that he still occasionally falls "off the wagon."
-------------------------------

It's called lying.

Either you're a smoker trying to quit or you're a former smoker.
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