Obama Signs Anti-Tobacco Bill, Mentions Own Stuggle

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 06:54:32 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

President Obama signed the anti-tobacco bill today. He mentioned his own struggle with smoking.

But he didn't say how his own struggle was coming since he moved into the White House. And aides were no more forthcoming.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says Obama "struggles with it every day." An aide says they still pack Nicorette for him. [More...]

And though White House aides pack nicotine gum in their jackets to help him resist, they also refuse to give a clear answer to the question of whether the president still sneaks a smoke now and again.

Obama says he was never a heavy smoker, just 5 cigarettes a day.

"I've never been a heavy smoker," Obama told The Chicago Tribune in 2007. "I've quit periodically over the last several years. ... I've been chewing Nicorette strenuously."

Strenous Nicorette chewing and a continual struggle for 5 cigarettes a day? Sounds a little over the top, no? Good for him for addressing the problem, but it sounds to me like he's minimizing the amount he used to smoke.

< Somalia: Thieves Sentenced to Public Amputation of Limbs | Chris Brown Pleads to Felony, Gets Probation >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Obama Signs Anti-Tobacco Bill, Mentions Own Stuggle | 20 comments (20 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Mr. Transparency (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 07:27:27 PM EST

can't even say whether he still smokes or not...which means he obviously does.

Yeah, but what's the guy to do? (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Democratic Cat on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 08:12:23 PM EST

He doesn't want to admit he can't quit; some people would see that as weakness--maybe he sees it that way. I feel for the guy. (And I'm no fan.)

In any case, I view this is a private matter. I'm much more interested in his lack of transparency in the public sphere. (I'm sure you are too.)


: I agree (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 09:18:32 PM EST

I just think it's ironic....from Mr. Transparency.
This is a man who brings a press plane for a date night....

Lets be honest here (5.00 / 0) (#9)
by Socraticsilence on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 10:41:36 PM EST

Obama could cure cancer and you'd rag on him for putting those poor oncologists out of business.


: Ha Good one (none / 0) (#12)
by oculus on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:34:17 AM EST

There is nothing remotely credible.... (2.00 / 0) (#5)
by Jerrymcl89 on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 08:40:00 PM EST

... in Obama's account of how much he has smoked, and how hard it's been for him to quit. I suppose that's his business, but he's obviously not being forthcoming about it.


Nanny Statism (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by jarober on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 08:29:18 PM EST

This is such a stupid bill. If there's anyone living in the US who doesn't know that smoking is bad for you, then the gene pool can do without them. The fact that Obama started smoking was a bad choice on his part, but isn't anyone else's business, public or private.

Sadly, he's not willing to let individuals decide for themselves. What's next? A war on tobacco to go with the oh so useful war on drugs?

Smoking is a beast (5.00 / 0) (#6)
by Spamlet on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 08:48:24 PM EST

I quit once with electro-acupuncture. That lasted almost 18 years, then I had a big deadline and started again. In a two-month period I built up to 2 cigarettes a day, so I went to a hypnotist and have now been smoke-free again for 18 months.

Nobody really knows what is credible with respect to anyone else's smoking habit. If Obama claims to have smoked 5 cigarettes a day, I believe him. My heaviest use was about 8-10 smokes a day, and I did that off and on for years.

I'm looking forward (none / 0) (#2)
by AlkalineDave on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 07:36:02 PM EST

to kdog's comment. :-P

Here ya go Dave.... (5.00 / 0) (#11)
by kdog on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 06:39:42 AM EST

It's his business and he has no need to discuss it..that being said I suspect he smokes, he likes it, but he won't admit it either because the anti-smoking zealots would crucify him, or his wife and kids would.

My advice to the pres is...if you wanna smoke, smoke. Life is too short to deny yourself simple pleasures, or to let society pressure you out of your pursuit of hapiness. Let the haters scratch. If you wanna quit, quit....find the willpower, thats all it takes. If you wanna smoke once in a blue...thats ok too.


At least we know he will (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by oculus on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:38:51 AM EST

Have excellent medical care. But--will he obligate himself and us to pay taxes on employer's contribution?


A few years down the road if things (none / 0) (#15)
by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:56:21 AM EST

keep going the way they are going, the Feds will be breakin' down doors to arrest people for tobacco stashes. We're just adding another to the list that will help to keep the War on Drugs alive and well - and of course help to expand the police state even more.


I wouldn't be surprised in the least... (none / 0) (#17)
by kdog on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 08:06:55 AM EST

if humans end up in cages over the demon tobacco plant in the not so distant future...but we'll be caged out of Big Brother's tremendous love for us and it will be doubleplusgood.


The (none / 0) (#18)
by AlkalineDave on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 09:27:19 AM EST

tremendous love part got me looks for laughing like a weirdo at work.


: That's a workplace hazard... (none / 0) (#19)
by kdog on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 09:29:16 AM EST

reading TL...happens to me all the time bro:)

But, but, he doesn't inhale. (none / 0) (#8)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 10:22:09 PM EST

Still the single oddest statement of alltime (none / 0) (#10)
by Socraticsilence on Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 10:43:22 PM EST

I mean really that's just classic.


: Probably should have prepared (none / 0) (#14)
by oculus on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:44:05 AM EST

Us for the meaning of "is."

: To some people (none / 0) (#20)
by NYShooter on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 01:21:43 PM EST

telling the truth is...."odd."

I heard Phillip Morris... (none / 0) (#16)
by kdog on Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 07:57:08 AM EST

is calling this bill the "Guaranteed Market Dominance for a Millenia Act"...high-fives all around the board room.