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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. #smoking
Mike Memoli suggested the smoking discussion may have been a distraction
Obama smoking answer a sure-fire shiny metal object
Michael Scherer was amused by the press' interest in the subject
Obama cig butts=press cat nip
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?
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 laugh
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 #chronical
Teri Cristoph isn't totally convinced
So, either Obama has stopped smoking or Robert Gibbs has no access to him.
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.
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 @PressSec
WH Press Secretary says President Obama quit smoking. That explains SO MUCH! Quick, somebody send Barack a carton of Marlboro Lights.
Maybe this explains Tuesday's fit. MT @markknoller: Obama is not proud of his smoking habit, but is working extremely hard to resist it.
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