President Barack Obama has finally kicked the habit. And now he has some tough talk for tobacco companies.
The commander-in-chief is slamming cigarette makers in a new White House video for attempting to ban new graphic warning labels required on cigarette packages.
“Today some big tobacco companies are trying to block these labels because they don’t want to be honest about the consequences of using their products,” said Obama.
In the spot, the President congratulates everyone taking part in Thursday’s 36th annual Great American Smokeout, a day on which the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to quit smoking.
But despite progress in reducing the number of Americans who light up, Obama notes 46 million are still addicted.
“The fact is, quitting smoking is hard,” said Obama. “Believe me, I know.”
After years of ducking out for a smoke, the President quit for good this year with the aid of nicotine gum. His physician pronounced him “tobacco free” following a physical exam last month.
In June 2009, Obama signed a law requiring tobacco companies to display bigger, bolder warning labels across the entire top half of cigarette packs.
The labels include images of a man smoking out of a hole in his throat, a pair of healthy lungs next to a pair of diseased ones, and the corpse of a dead smoker.
Five U.S. tobacco companies have sued the government to block the rules, saying the mandatory labels are in violation of free speech rights.
The President said he’s not surprised that the companies are battling the new warnings. “We’ve always known that the fight to stop smoking in this country won’t be easy,” he said.
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