Obama Admits He Still Sneaks Occasional Cigarette

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2009 3:45 PM CDT

(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.”

Margaret Talev of McClatchy Newspapers used recently signed tobacco legislation to frame her question. “First of all,” said Obama, “the new law is not about me. It’s about the next generation of kids coming up.” He added: “You just think it’s neat to ask me about my smoking as opposed to it being relevant to my new law. But that’s fine. I understand. … It’s an interesting human-interest story.”

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President Obama at his press conference today. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Obama pauses during his news conference. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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