I have to say it. I’m looking forward to a regime change in Washington. Barack Obama is one of only a couple of major contenders on the Democratic side. He’s got a ton going for him.
I know this shouldn’t matter and I’m not saying that I would not vote for Barack because of this, but I am really disappointed that he reportedly smokes cigarettes. If true, I wish he didn’t. I’ve spent the last decade of my life educating people about not using tobacco; encouraging them to not start the addiction, and counseling them on ways to quit.
Having a President who is a smoker (daily, or even occasional) or tobacco user goes against every bit of my being. I will admit that I don’t think that using tobacco would directly or indirectly affect his ability to be President, but I hate the fact that the President of the United States would be a tobacco user. That would be a poor role model for kids AND adults and a sad commentary on the health of our nation. And, that this person would be a Democrat would be doubly offensive to me.
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You will be amazed at the reactions you get from people if you ask them “Did you know that Obama smokes cigarettes?”. In my own sampling, half the people I asked thought it was a lie or unfounded rumor. Most of the remaining people didn’t think it was that big of a deal but I could see it in their eyes that they were trying to craft a reason why.
I’m almost certain that if I inserted “Hillary” for “Obama” in the question, the reaction would have been way different.
On another note, it’s very difficult to find a picture of Obama taking a drag. I went through a few pages of Google images and couldn’t spot anything.
He understands your concerns and is now using gum to help him quit.
His wife informed him that if he wanted to run for president he would have to quit smoking in order to be a good role model. He has quit for long periods of time in the past, but you must understand that when you start young, it is much harder to kick the habit than you think. It’s not even a question of will power. When you are in high stress situations, it appears to a smoker, even one who has quit, that you may not be performing at your best. He will eventually get off the gum, don’t worry.
james on May 13th, 2007 at 6:23 am | Link
james said:
[quote]He understands your concerns and is now using gum to help him quit.
His wife informed him that if he wanted to run for president he would have to quit smoking in order to be a good role model. He has quit for long periods of time in the past, but you must understand that when you start young, it is much harder to kick the habit than you think. It’s not even a question of will power. When you are in high stress situations, it appears to a smoker, even one who has quit, that you may not be performing at your best. He will eventually get off the gum, don’t worry.[/quote]
James,
I was wondering how you knew this and what your relationship to Barack and his wife is. You sound like you’re in the know. Are you his spokesperson?
You are correct, most people who “started young” are going to have a tough time quitting and I must say that quitting on the Presidential trail isn’t likely. Nevertheless, a product such as Chantix (varenicline) would be more effective than the gum.
I posted this nearly a year ago and I don’t think tobacco use has anything to do with running the country (for example, Bush doesn’t smoke and he has ruined this country and the entire planet, so maybe it would be better to have a tobacco user in office). I am curious though, does anybody know if Obama is still smoking?
I hate to ask if anybody has any current and accurate information, because I’m sure that the only responses will come from pundits and crackpots, who really have no knowledge of what they are talking about, but will pretend they do.
Lose the gum you are trying to get the micotine out of your body not add to it.
Then remains the question do we want a man that can’t quit smoking(dude you’re rich get help!) for president…..
johan f on May 29th, 2008 at 10:36 pm | Link
who cares if he smokes cigarrtes maybe it will help him it helped clinton to do things that was his personal life so let them be them my business is my business and their is theirs
mary jane on June 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm | Link
so what he smokes cigarettes let him do what he wants i do and i don’t think it will hurt him to have a few now and then
mary jane on June 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm | Link
I quit 5 years ago and I started very young. One of the hardest thing I have ever done. I think anyone that wants to be the president of the United Stated should have the fortitude and strength of character to quit.
Seti on July 16th, 2008 at 5:52 pm | Link