Obama: Still on the Nicorette?

President congratulates those trying to quit

(NEWSER) - President Obama congratulated those who are making plans to quit smoking today as part of the Great American Smokeout, wryly acknowledging that “quitting smoking is hard—believe me, I know.” He also slammed Big Tobacco for attempting to block new cigarette warning labels “because they don’t want to be honest about the consequences of using their products. Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising.” Click for more on a smoke-free Obama's health . More»

Finding could be a blow to nicotine patches, gum

(NEWSER) - Smoking could hurt more than just your lungs. A new study suggests nicotine causes breast cancer tumors to grow. The finding is especially significant, the Daily Mail explains, because though cigarettes are known to contain at least 60 cancer-causing substances, this is the first time nicotine has been implicated as one of them. More»

(NEWSER) - He wasn't all that happy to be asked about it—again—but President Obama admitted during his news conference today that, yes, he still lights up the occasional cigarette, reports ABC News. “Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes.” Obama said he’s not a “daily smoker, a constant smoker,” and added, “I don’t do it in front of my kids. … I would say that I am 95% cured.” More»

President-elect's struggle with nicotine could help others kick the habit

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama is about to become the nation's smoker-in-chief, and anti-smoking advocates are hopeful he'll become a powerful example for other smokers if he finally manages to kick the habit. He has quit several times but so far has always gone back to smoking up to eight cigarettes a day, reports the New York Times. More»

Obama working to stay on the wagon

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama promised the nation yesterday that he won't be sneaking smokes at the White House. The president-elect, who has been trying to kick his habit, told Meet the Press that he'll respect the mansion's smoke-free policy. He admits having "fallen off the wagon" in the past, but seemed confident that he can follow house rules, reports the New York Daily News. More»