There is no doubt that the tobacco is one of the most addictive agents known to man, responsible for millions of cumulative deaths, illnessess and cases of disability. The broad antismoking campaign including significant tax increases ("sin tax") have made some progress in this effort. However, we still have a long way to go. It seems that President Obama also suffers from hyperlipidemia. This is not really vascular device stuff but it may be if the First lady doesn't take some corrective action. We wish the President the best of luck in his personal battle
Echoing Obama's comments on the tobacco topic in June, spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president still occasionally "falls of the wagon," just like others who have struggled to quit smoking for good.
"The president continues to chew nicotine gum," Gibbs noted. He added that he doesn't know where in the White House the president might go away to sneak a smoke.
"I don't doubt that he would tell you that he wishes once and for all he could wipe away that struggle," Gibbs said. "I know he works on it each and every day."
While Obama sailed through his physical yesterday with high marks, the medical report citing ongoing efforts at smoking "cessation."
The report also cited a spike in Obama's bad cholesterol, meaning Obama will have to cut down on his share of sweets -- no easy task when living in a house with its own pastry chef.
"Look," Gibbs said, "those guys make good desserts over there."
Just because Obama is thin -- 6-1, 180 pounds -- doesn't mean always eats as well as he should, the spokesman added.
By the way, here is the full transcript of what Obama said in June about smoking.
Q: How many cigarettes a day do you now smoke? Do you smoke alone or in the presence of other people? And do you believe the new law would help you to quit? If so, why?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, the new law that was put in place is not about me, it's about the next generation of kids coming up. So I think it's fair, Margaret, to just say that you just think it's neat to ask me about my smoking, as opposed to it being relevant to my new law. (Laughter.) But that's fine, I understand. It's an interesting human -- it's an interesting human interest story.
But I've said before that, as a former smoker, I constantly struggle with it. Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes. Am I a daily smoker, a constant smoker? No. I don't do it in front of my kids, I don't do it in front of my family, and I would say that I am 95 percent cured, but there are times where -- (laughter) -- there are times where I mess up.
And, I mean, I've said this before. I get this question about once every month or so, and I don't know what to tell you, other than the fact that, like folks who go to AA, once you've gone down this path, then 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. Okay?
(Posted by David Jackson)
Comments