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In response to a new Surgeon General's report on the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke, Robert Gibbs was questioned by members of the press today on the President's own smoking habits. Gibbs assured reporters he hadn't seen the Obama smoking in 9 months and that he was chewing nicotine gum in an effort to quit. Media tweeters quickly spread the word on the President's smoking status and it wasn't long before people were responding to the news.

Ken Bazinet took to Twitter upon hearing the announcement

Smoking gum: Pres Obama is still using chewing gum to help keep him from lighting up in his battle to quit smoking, Gibbs says. #smokingless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Ken Bazinet
bazmaniandevil


Mike Memoli suggested the smoking discussion may have been a distraction

Obama smoking answer a sure-fire shiny metal objectless than a minute ago via webMike Memoli
mikememoli


Michael Scherer was amused by the press' interest in the subject

Obama cig butts=press cat nipless than a minute ago via TweetDeckmichaelscherer
michaelscherer


Bryan Schuetz wasn't so amused



Free speech in crisis, mounting deficit, middle class held hostage. It's good to see the press corps is on the job: Has Obama quit smoking?less than a minute ago via Tweetie for MacBryan Schuetz
BryanSchuetz


Ed Henry broadcast his favorite comment from Gibbs

Gibbs asked whether President has "quit" smoking? "yes, for those nine months" ... how'd he do it? "he's stubborn" Gibbs says with a laughless than a minute ago via webEd Henry
edhenrycnn


Health Chronicle wanted to know what Obama was really smoking

Obama still smoking after all these years!...but is he smoking tobacco or an E-Cigarette?..http://bit.ly/bt8PXI #chronicalless than a minute ago via mylinksmyadsHealth Chronicle
HealthChronicle


Teri Cristoph isn't totally convinced

So, either Obama has stopped smoking or Robert Gibbs has no access to him.less than a minute ago via webTeri Christoph
TeriChristoph


While some people like "John Galt" were happy to hear Obama is kicking the habit...

I am glad Pres Obama is smoking less. Kinda hard to tell my kids not to smoke if the pres is. May not be news, but nice just the same.less than a minute ago via webJohn Galt
I_am_John_Galt_


Others joked that maybe he should stick with it.

Obama shouldn't quit smoking, he should hire Philip Morris to do his negotiating & PR.  @markknoller @PressSecless than a minute ago via HootSuiteBryan Eder
bryaneder



WH Press Secretary says President Obama quit smoking. That explains SO MUCH! Quick, somebody send Barack a carton of Marlboro Lights.less than a minute ago via webSilas Kain
delibernation



Maybe this explains Tuesday's fit. MT @markknoller: Obama is not proud of his smoking habit, but is working extremely hard to resist it.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckDaniel Wanke
danielwanke

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