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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Ooo, news! Go, America!
Obama promised no more taxes, He lied again.
I wish the President the best in his efforts to kick the smoking habit. He is a great guy and I would love to see him be totally cured of such a nasty habit. God's speed Mr. President.
Kind of like being a little bit pregnant. either your a smoker or your not. Or when a person asks if hes stopped smoking tfor him to respond sure I've stopped at least 20 times today.
He also said that "Once you go down this path, it's something you continually struggle with."
I'm sorry Mr. President, I think you're dead wrong. I quit smoking and for good. I don't give in to the temptation every once in a while. I think that shows weakness. If you really quit, then you should stop completely.
I wish he would just smoke his cigarettes and tell all those anti-smoking jihadists to mind there own business. Good grief, I'm so tired of all the anti-smoking crap.
I'd rather have a smoker than a dry drunk in the White House. Just look what the supposedly "dry" drunk did to America over the last eight years. The drunken fool drove it into a ditch.
This is such a non-story I had to comment.
Who care, really? Smoking is bad and we all know it.
get back to being a President!
Please, can we get past this? He likes to light up once in awhile. WHO CARES!! Smoking is still legal, he meets the age requirements, he has read the warnings. He's an adult that chooses to sometimes smoke. There is WAY too much going on in the world to worry about this pettiness. It's ridiculous.
Well, I can't knock him this time. Obama gave a very real and revealing answer. I respect him for not smoking around his girls. Good luck to him, cause I know I would NEVER give up chocolate.
who cares.. he's got probably the most stressful job on the planet. So what.
The Right-Wingers will run with this ignoring the fact that the last occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was a drunken, coke-headed lout!
Smoke 'em if you've got 'em. With a job like that, I think an occassional smoke break is warranted.
Have you noticed that Sen Kennedy never tried to break the alcohol industry?I feel more people have died because of alcohol and its related dangers, such as driving drunk ,than have from drinking. One incident comes to mind many years ago. On Obama's habit. It is a sign of weakness when one says I can't quit. I feel the same about a drinking habit. Weak minded people run our government.
This is not news.
Obama believes the government can do more to stop his kids from smoking then he can. His weakness in his personal life is disappointing to the American people and to his Imam!
I love how he express his struggle which make him human. Can't get better than this as a president.
I thought the question was rude and none of her business. With all that is going on in the world that "reporter" should be fired for wasting an opportunity to ask a valuable question. What was she thinking?
I am sure that President Obama does not blow smoke at his daughters.
I watched him answer this question. What a misleading headline.
A more accurate one would be, "Journalist asks trivial question that misses the main point of the issue."
Yeah, that bill is also about slapping small smoke shops and tobacco companies in the face while taking away an adult's choice to enjoy flavored tobacco.
Thank you, oh mighty great one. Thank you for understanding that I, as a grown, tax paying citizen, am far too stupid to decide what goes into my own body.
That bill was nothing but a big win for Phillip Morris, and a big loss to hookah bars, smoke shops, and small tobacco-related businesses.
Perhaps when he decided to spend this country's kids deep into debt he should have shared a similar sentiment – "it's not about me, it's about the next generation of kids coming up"
Though the smoking thing is most unfortunate, it is just so good to witness a thoroughly normal, refreshingly candid human being as President of the USA.
Having said that, since he is handling just about every other crisis quite masterfully, I am sure the smoking thing will soon be history. Also, only goes to show, conquering self is the greatest challenge of all.
What's the big deal??? The man states that he struggles with this like anyone else who's trying to quit or has quit already. Why do these reporters feel they must belabor the point? He's trying to be a role model for people to quit and they would do anything to catch him lighting up. Quit badgering him about this personal struggle and stick to the important issues of the day.
When the greatest leader in the Free World needs a smoke once in a while, who can blame him? He has a huge job to do. I do not begrudge him a cigarette once in a while. Shoot, I'm a nonsmoker and there are days at my job where I feel I should light up!
WOW!! Is this the only thing you got out of this?? As a former smoker who tried and failed on several occassions, give the guy a break! If you can not come up with something other than this out of the hour long question and answer session you guys need to look for new work!