WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he is "95 percent cured" of his smoking habit, "but there are times I mess up."
Obama said "that as a former smoker, I constantly struggle with it. ... Have I fallen off the wagon? Yes."
Obama noted he is not a daily smoker and "doesn't do it in front of" his children.
The president argued that a new law providing for FDA regulation of tobacco "is not about me. It's about the next generation of kids coming up."
The president made his remarks during a news conference at the White House.
From CNN Politics
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Oh thank you CNN for posting this wonderful story about our Cigarette Smoker in Chief. Another adventure in “As Obama Turns”.
But he's human. Once you smoke, it is so hard to give up. Part of me feels it's hypocrisy to hide it from his kids, and part of me says he is doing the right thing (second hand smoke notwithstanding). I haven't smoked for over 10 years... and still want one occasionally.
As a reformed smoker of over five years and one who has quit several times before reaching the 5 year mark, I understand. Some of these Obama bashers had better not throw stones.
You will wait along time for me to moderate this one.
Mr. Obama is not the only president who had fallen off the wagon. The one that has never fallen off the wagon is the liar and coward because they could not admit it. So far, Mr. Obama is one of a few presidents who do not show off the muscle when facing the enemies or unfriendly nations. One who shows off their muscle first when facing the enemies is weak (in their heart). Muscle is the last resource when all efforts have run out. It is 21st century, talking tough or pointing the gun to the head making people obey is uncivilized and outdated.
I agree. This is a terrible example to set . I live my life by a fixed set of fine parameters and I feel that most people should live by these parameters as well. I aslo feel that smoking, whether done constantly and excessively, or merely for ocassional enjoyment, has no place within the parameters I've defined for myself and others and thus has no place in any type of dialogue or imagery amongst the public. Smoking can cause disease. Disease can cause death. Death is something to put off for as long as you can because life is enjoyable.
We all have vices. President Obama is trying to do the right thing. Smoking is a hard thing to stop when you have smoked as many years as he has. He can do it...it will take time. With all the problems he has on his shoulders as President of the United States, it is understandable that he will have an occasional slip. He is a very determined individual, one day he will beat the smoking habit.
Addiction is addiction and if you are addicted to something you struggle with it. I would rather have a President who is honest about his issues and who talks about his struggles than someone who lies and covers them up.
So it's ok to the moderators to imply a sexual aspect clinton's cigar smoking but not ok to imply a drug aspect to Obama's smoking?
not a good example-
So I guess you are perfect.
Barack, NO ONE cares about your smoking. Not a living soul.
What we do care about is that you are now going to screw with health care, and the cap and trade bill.
Stop costing us more money.
You screwed up the economy.
You buried our unemployment.
You are driving us into a debt we will never be able to pay back.
You ruined GM and Chrysler as companies.
You are screwing with the banks.
Why dont you just mess with the abortion and gay rights issues and leave the economy alone.
Stop trying to propose and propagate your socialist agenda.
This IS NOT RUSSIA, and we do not want that way of life.
What does he mean by he was once a smoker? He still is. You can only quit once, otherwise you never did.
carl June 23rd, 2009 3:47 pm ET
I agree. This is a terrible example to set . I live my life by a fixed set of fine parameters and I feel that most people should live by these parameters as well. I aslo feel that smoking, whether done constantly and excessively, or merely for ocassional enjoyment, has no place within the parameters I've defined for myself and others and thus has no place in any type of dialogue or imagery amongst the public. Smoking can cause disease. Disease can cause death. Death is something to put off for as long as you can because life is enjoyable.
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Carl, as you said those are your parameters. You have no right holding anyone else to them.
what a studpid response..................do as I say not as I do.....................children love that remark.
In stead of where’s Waldo, where’s S.C Governor Mark Sanford? He should be fired or he should resign!!! If you say that’s harsh, try leaving your job for a few days without telling your employer. Bet you he or she won’t say “hey, no big deal, you just needed a few days off”!!!
Wish he was as worried about the debt the next generation is going to inherit as a result of his policies.
Matthew in Dertoit, YOU are delusional.
Don't lie to me. You only quit when your family smells it on you. Been there too many times. Now, get out there and spend another trillion. It will help take the edge off.
CNN, can you find out next if Obama puts his elbows on the table? CNN = Certainly No News.
Why do you fools think you can tell the President how to live his life, but you don't want the govenment telling yu how to live your life. All you nuts on here are hypicrites. RIGHT WING NUT AND FAKE DEMO. ARE HYPICRITES. HE CAN SMOKE IF YOU WANT TO.
Republicans want small govenment like I want a whole in my head.
Well, one good thing is that the thing he smokes is a legal product. Won't have to worry about him proclaiming that he doesn't inhale.
I'm going to invite Mr. Obama over to my house for beer and ciggarettes and we would like the media to leave us alone. Why does he have to be your role model for everyting?
I quite smoking 25 years ago COLD TURKEY !!! It can be done; Obama is a whimp !
People with glass house shouldn't throw stones. To all you Obama haters what is your house made of?