Smoker-In-Chief?

Fresh Focus On Barack Obama's On-And-Off Smoking Habit

(AP)  Of all the things President-elect Barack Obama needs right now, one of them surely isn't a new set of lofty expectations on his well-burdened shoulders.

But recent attention to Mr. Obama's on-and-off smoking habit has pinned a new kind of audacious hope to him. Anti-smoking advocates are counting on Mr. Obama as a role model for others trying to kick the habit, showing them - and himself - that while it's hard, all things are indeed possible in America.

More pressure? One imagines the very thought might send Mr. Obama back to the privacy of his yard to light up. In seriousness, though, his familiar plight - a former smoker who says he's quit, but admittedly falls off the wagon - is potentially "the ultimate teachable moment," as one anti-smoking advocate puts it.

"It's a wonderful opportunity," says Cheryl Healton, president of the American Legacy Foundation, a Washington-based group that seeks to prevent smoking among young people. "The president-elect is in a position to help people understand that it's difficult to quit, and to encourage the 43 million adult Americans who smoke to join him in his efforts."

Mr. Obama can perhaps thank Tom Brokaw for renewing the chatter about his smoking habit. On NBC's "Meet the Press," Brokaw noted Mr. Obama had "ducked" the smoking question previously, and asked if he'd indeed quit, noting the White House is a no-smoking zone. (And Mr. Obama has his incoming secretary of state, former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, to thank for THAT.)

"I have," Mr. Obama said. "What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon."

"Wait a minute," said Brokaw, "that means you haven't stopped."

"Fair enough," Mr. Obama said. "What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House."

Immediately his response was seen as full of holes. (What about outside the White House? What about unseen violations?) As, of course, it was. And smokers understood it well.

"I totally get it," says Josh Abrams, 28, who works in advertising sales in New York. "He leaves it open, so it wouldn't make him a liar if he were seen with a cigarette."

"I do the same thing," says Abrams, who like Mr. Obama is quitting partly for domestic reasons (Michelle Obama demanded that her husband quit; Abrams' fiancee, Cori, has done the same). "When people ask, I say, 'I'm on my way.' 'I'm in the process.' 'I'm getting there."'

Abrams does have a looming deadline: the end of 2008. If he fails, he knows his fiancee will be sorely disappointed.

But let's face it, that's nothing compared to letting down an entire nation.

And many have high hopes, among them at least one newspaper's editorial board. "With New Year's almost upon us, and quitting bound to top many a resolution list, the nation's smokers - and possibly future ones - might be expected to turn their eyes to Obama," the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote this week. "And here, we hope, the president-elect will - with the loving encouragement of his wife and daughters, no doubt - set an example that will lead him and other Americans to healthier living."

A similar hope, albeit with no implied timetable, comes from Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"He's shown a firm commitment to beat this addiction even though no one could have tried under more stressful circumstances," Myers says. "It takes courage to admit failure, but even more courage to pledge to succeed."

One might think, given Mr. Obama's clear ability to influence children in many ways, not to mention his own two daughters, that anti-smoking advocates would find him a disappointment on this issue.

Yet they say his foible makes him more human, and better able to teach by example.

"I cheered when I saw him acknowledge to Tom Brokaw the very human reaction that he's fallen off the wagon," says Myers. And the fact that he has two young daughters? "That makes him an even better role model."

If he occasionally lights up, he won't be the most recent White House occupant to do so. First lady Laura Bush, who quit a lifelong smoking habit at least a decade ago, reportedly will bum a cigarette from friends on occasion.

All the positive wishes sent out to Obama might be just the motivator he needs to close the deal. Or maybe not, says Dr. David Jorenby, a specialist in smoking cessation.

"Some smokers who are trying to quit actively want people to check up on them," says Jorenby, a professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. "For others, it drives them up the wall. One size does not fit all."

Mr. Obama has done a lot right, says Jorenby. First, he hasn't tried to go cold turkey, but rather is using nicotine replacement, in the form of Nicorette. Those using the gum are 1½ times more likely to quit than those using a placebo, health officials have found.

Even more important, Mr. Obama keeps trying. "Relapsing is very common," Jorenby says, with a typical smoker making four to six attempts before getting it right. (Healton puts it even higher, at eight to 11 attempts.)

One common reaction to Mr. Obama's smoking is that it's a mystifying contradiction to the rest of his personality - to the famous discipline that keeps him working out every single day, and helped him run one of the more successful campaigns in U.S. politics.

Jorenby says such logic is a fallacy. "They're not mutually exclusive," he says of discipline and smoking. For one thing, a cigarette often helps smokers concentrate - one reason it's so hard to stop. "The thought of not being able to think clearly is terrifying to them," he says.

And also, people often ignore the fact that tobacco addiction is a chemical dependency. "This is not simply a bad habit that one uses willpower to stamp out," he says.

At least one observer says we all need to leave Mr. Obama alone. In fact, wrote Ron Rosenbaum on Slate.com recently, our lives may depend on it.

Tongue in cheek, Rosenbaum imagines a day in the winter of 2009 when an international crisis has erupted. "Do you want Barack Obama, the guy who has his finger on our nuclear trigger ... all irritable, his nerves and famously smooth temper on edge?"

"Give Obama a break," writes Rosenbaum, who makes clear he's not advocating cigarettes for others. "A smoking break."

[barbaraf4]

"Give Obama a break," writes Rosenbaum, who makes clear he''s not advocating cigarettes for others. "A smoking break."
~~~~~~~~~~
I agree. This is none of our business. Laura Bush smokes and I''ve never heard any expectations about her being a role model.

[tallinson]

The first sentence of this article says it all, as did several posters. KEEP YOUR STINKING NOSE OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE''S BUSINESS! This has NOTHING to do with affairs of state, therefore it''s nobody''s business but his own.
As for Laura Bush, since when have the Bushes been role models to anyone?

[shameonbush]

Put the ashtrays back in the White House, let the man work, don''t burden him with this ridiculous BS. I''m so sick of these anti-smoking fanatics. The United States is in dire straits and they are worried about Obama having a cigerette? LOL

[scone47]

Smoking in a FEDERAL BUILDING is ILLEGAL....... why would Obama care any more about this law than any other?

[scone47]

Is this the same guy that preaches about climate change? And he cannot even CHANGE his own habits???

[trillion1]

The next time you anti smoking nazis vist the WH you can complain.

[ichabod57]

Seriously, with everything that''s going wrong in our country today, and everything Mr. Obama will have to face as he takes office next month ... and these people are worried about our new president lighting up a cigarette?

Two words come to mind: GROW UP.

[paris1969]

I am always amused that people can be 50 pounds overweight and they will scream when they see someone with a cigarette. Why don''t these people look at getting all the overweight and I mean fat senators and congress-people to lose weight and leave Obama alone? He has work to do!

[ajmarine111]

Tobacco is still a legal product that you can buy anywhere isn''t it?

Until they make it illegal, leave the man alone.



And I am not an Obama supporter.

[william88893]

A fella has to be accountable to himself before he can be accountable to others. You have to give up on yer ''be an example'' crusade, and let people decide things fer themselves. With everything political, nothing gets accomplished. And men have no conscience..

[william88893]

Smoking''ll kill ya though.

[debinok1]

Prove to me that smoking causes everything they say it does, PROVE IT! Prove that it isnt all the other toxins in the air we breath every day causing those diseases. The exhaust from planes and cars, the fumes from all the production plants, the exhaust from the space shuttle. A true double blind study by an independent lab. Until then get off of it. And while your at it REMEMBER the next thing they go after may be something YOU enjoy!

[debinok1]

And while were at it, remember a few years ago the movie Demolition Man? If the government deemed it bad for you it was illegal. they outlawed salt, red meat, smoking, cussing and even ***. Sound familiar? After smoking then what?

[debinok1]

Ah geez perfect example we cant even SAY s.e.x for crying out loud.

[ajmarine111]

And while your at it REMEMBER the next thing they go after may be something YOU enjoy!

Posted by DebinOK1 at 10:42 PM : Dec 12, 2008



They already have. :-(

[ajmarine111]

Ah geez perfect example we cant even SAY s.e.x for crying out loud.


Posted by DebinOK1 at 10:51 PM : Dec 12, 2008



Try saying "G*y", even if the article is about "G*y''s" and see what happens.

Go figure.

[debinok1]

How much more control over our daily lives do we really want the government to have? Do we want them telling us the only way to have a baby is invitro because s.e.x is how STDs are spread? Do we want them telling us we cant have chocolate because it causes obesity? Enough is Enough already!

[ofbyfor3]

Let he who is without vices (of ANY kind) cast the first stone. Doubt there will be ANYONE capable of that. At least he''s TRYING to quit. Grow up and give him a break. The country has more to be concerned about right now than whether or not Obama smokes a cigarette every once in a while.

[jerr11]

Better than Liar-In-Chief.

935 lies.

4200 Dead Americans.

[smokeyjoe57]

At last, we have a President that is willing to admit that he is not perfect! I think this will lead him as close to perfection as anyone can get in this IMPOSSIBLE job. No one person can fix everything that is wrong with this country!

[rrozsa-2009]

I for one am sick of the legislative hypocracy towards smoking. On one hand, it''s illegal to smoke in a Federal building. On the other hand, tobacco taxes have contributed a significant portion towards those buildings. Either outlaw it or shut up. I''m not a supporter of Obama''s ideology, but he''ll be my President soon, and I see leave the man alone to do his job, for heavens'' sake.

[rrozsa-2009]

say, not see

[runningralph]

If you smoke and drink you will get sick and die. If you don''t smoke and drink you will get sick and die.The odds are you will last about 20 to 25 years longer if you don''t drink and smoke. Why do you want people to live longer? If strangers kill themselves smoking, why should you fret? Leave the smokers alone. They may die sooner but we''ll all be there soon enough. Spend your life NOT fretting so much.

[ajmarine111]

The odds are you will last about 20 to 25 years longer if you don''''t drink and smoke.

Posted by runningralph at 11:24 PM : Dec 12, 2008



Then you will be old enough to p*e your pants all the time and get lost in your own backyard.

I think I''ll lite one up right now.

[debinok1]

Nothing but a load of bullsh*t, My aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer, the Doctor told her she had to quit smoking, she never smoked, he told her, her husband had to quit smoking around her, he never smoked, the Doctor told her she was lying. Doctors dont know what causes these diseases any more than the Surgeon General does.

[blackyowe]

I would like to see Obama gain a few pounds and maybe if he quit smoking he would. Thin is good but Barak is willow thin.

[nghtcase]

I can say from experience that it''s not easy to quit smoking. I had 4 days in the hospital on oxygen and breathing treatments every 4 hours to help me. My husband quit cold turkey at the same time I was in there, and that was almost 7 yrs ago. I still have problems breathing when I''m around cigarette smoke. I have problems for days, not just a few hours. While I understand how a smoker feels, I understand more how I feel when I can''t breathe because of it.

[miriambk]

I say, leave the guy alone. If it helps him to settle down and focus or gives him 5 minutes to get away from things, then so be it. Given the enormity of his job, I''m glad it''s a smoke and not some other, more destructive vice.

[smokeyjoe57]

From AJMarine111:
Then you will be old enough to p*e your pants all the time and get lost in your own backyard.

I think I''''ll lite one up right now.
-----------------------------------------
With health care costs rising at 5x everyone''s ability to pay and Social Security going broke, why is everybody trying to live LONGER?

[bobgee_1999]

Such utter nonsense. All the carcinogens that come out of cigarettes also come out of your car''s tailpipe, and there are a lot more cars than there are smokers. Not to mention what comes out of power plants and factories. If you people were really concerned about what you breathe -- as opposed to simply wanting to impose your will on others -- you''d be better served to address those issues instead.

[trglazier]

"First- A person that smokes,smells like cat *****.
Second this sets bad example for children."
Posted by mr22258

Actually Mr. mr, a person that smokes smells like smoke. But you''re right about the bad example it sets for kids

[solarrays247-2009]

Such utter nonsense. All the carcinogens that come out of cigarettes also come out of your car''''s tailpipe, and there are a lot more cars than there are smokers. Not to mention what comes out of power plants and factories. If you people were really concerned about what you breathe -- as opposed to simply wanting to impose your will on others -- you''''d be better served to address those issues instead.
Posted by bobgee_1999 at 11:56 PM : Dec 12, 2008

Great post!! Although I quit smoking four years ago (and don''t miss it!) I agree with your post!! If everyone is so-o-o concerned about our air quality, then WHERE is the concern regarding all the belching smoke stacks, and millions of cars on the road that probably would not pass an emissions test?

[sincity_q]

So what if he smokes? last time I looked, it was NOT (yet) illegal.

Not everyone is going to march to the beat of your favorite drum. Did you elect this guy to be president? Or be a posterchild for sending smokers to a leper colony?

[mtminds]

give me a break

[noirceur]

I knew it wouldn''t take the Nit-Wits of the news
to start up on this.I like others here say "So What".
With so much going on in the world can''t you use
your brain''s and find some real news.

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm%u2026

Smoking is not a habit. It is an addiction. It is an addiction to nicotine. Any adult who smokes sets a bad example for younger people.

The President of The United States should set an example of healthy living, including being a non smoker, and non drinker.

I have had former drug addicts tell me that it was easier to get off heroin than nicotine.

[barbaram99]

Michelle Obama demand that her husband quit . A smoker must quit and nobody can''t him/her to quit. I am a non cmoker, My room mated used to smoke, He went outdoors to smoke. No onrd smokes in the house. He madw up his mind he going to quit, He guit cold turkey, He had to for health reasons, Mr,Obama has to quit, but for himself first, No one can force or demand it. Yes it is a dirty and costly habit, Mr. Obana is a role model. I hope he kicks the habit for good.My friend has not smoked sinse 9/12/00, He had his first heart attack and quit that day, and stayed quyi, He did not fall off the wagon.

[grammawhamma]

OMG...so Obama smokes. Big Whoop. Let him puff away just so he doesn''t do it in the public eye.

[airboatboy1]

If I was gonna be in charge of tryin'' to fix the mess Bush left I''d be smokin'' like a fvckin'' chimney!

[tallinson]

The problem with MOST doctors, and far too many other people is that they are far too interested in the QUANTITY of life and far too indifferent toward the QUALITY of life. I''d rather live 20 years doing the things I enjoy than 120 years walking on egg shells. AND, by the way, I haven''t smoked in 42 years; ONLY because I no longer cared to do it, I NEVER tried to quit.

[oneworldusa]

A lot of support for someone''s legal right to smoke cigarettes...good. However, I draw the line at RUDE smokers, those with no concern for non-smokers, like someone who will light up in a car knowing they are with non-smokers without asking if it is ok that they do so. Bars? Let people smoke if they wish. Bars/Restaurants, all of them can set their own policies. As far as employee''s exposure to smoke in these places, they have the right to apply at a non-smoking establishment if they wish.

[ffoulkes-2009]

Two words come to mind: GROW UP.

Posted by ichabod57 at 10:09 PM : Dec 12, 2008
__________
How about Obama GROW UP and quit that CHILDISH behavior. Someone smoking definately puts perception of his/her intelligence level into doubt.
------------------

[ffoulkes-2009]

I am always amused that people can be 50 pounds overweight and they will scream when they see someone with a cigarette. Why don''''t these people look at getting all the overweight and I mean fat senators and congress-people to lose weight and leave Obama alone? He has work to do!

Posted by paris1969 at 10:22 PM : Dec 12, 2008
___________
When is the last time second hand cholesterol gave someone lung cancer? Oh, and Yes...many MANY studies have directly linked cigarette smoke to lung cancer. Overwhelmingly so.

[longtree-2009]

no one should care if obama smokes cigars, cigarettes, pipe. no one should care if he uses snuff. no should care if he chews tobacco. it''s personal to obama, his wife, and children. everyone else should butt out.

[ffoulkes-2009]

Tobacco is still a legal product that you can buy anywhere isn''''t it?

Until they make it illegal, leave the man alone.

And I am not an Obama supporter.

Posted by AJMarine111 at 10:25 PM : Dec 12, 2008
___________
''The man'' is supposed to be a role model. It is hard enough to keep teens from smoking without having to explain why it is ok for the President of the US to smoke and it isn''t ok for them.

[slim1h2o]

"But let''s face it, that''s nothing compared to letting down an entire nation.

No, You wouldn''t be letting the entire nation down, in fact you wouldn''t be letting anyone down. With the high-pressure job that you now have, you just might need something to relax those jumbled nerves.

I say "Smoke''em if you got''em, and enjoy!

Now that we have a smoker in the White house, maybe, just maybe, we smokers can regain some of our rights back. Or at least slow the onslaught of rules so rigid, that they shatter the nerves of the strongest of us.

[ffoulkes-2009]

If you smoke and drink you will get sick and die. If you don''''t smoke and drink you will get sick and die.The odds are you will last about 20 to 25 years longer if you don''''t drink and smoke. Why do you want people to live longer? If strangers kill themselves smoking, why should you fret? Leave the smokers alone. They may die sooner but we''''ll all be there soon enough. Spend your life NOT fretting so much.

Posted by runningralph at 11:24 PM : Dec 12, 2008
_____________
Problem is that the smokers are also negatively affecting the health of those around them. I am allergic to tobacco...stuff puts me into asthmatic distress...I could literally die because someone lights up to close to me.

[slim1h2o]

When is the last time second hand cholesterol gave someone lung cancer? Oh, and Yes...many MANY studies have directly linked cigarette smoke to lung cancer. Overwhelmingly so.

Posted by ffoulkes

Second hand smoke,,give it a rest. If people were so concerned, they should be looking at the automobile before worrying about smokers.

[whatchange-2009]

Just face it, Liberals. Your Messiah is a drug addict.

[assemblyofso]

It seems that since the Messiah smokes, there must be some benefits that have been overlooked over the past by the anti smoking people. Looks like its ok for him, but the rest of us better not light up in the wrong place.