I see that people are defending Obama, clearly for political reasons. (How, where or why does McCain enter into this discussion?)No Obama fan I know has one ounce of criticism for him. But, this is not about politics, this is a substance abuse issue. With all the new research coming out (and the old research!), that smokers are at higher risk for relapse and are not maturing emotionally as they are relying on a substance to cope, is the issue here. A US president is the biggest role-model in the world, and for him to make an excuse to smoke (the only good excuse I know of is being in a fox-hole) and to almost endorse MJ (He stated he inhaled as "That's the point", as in there is a point in a healthy person smoking weed?) is highly innappropriate. Children all over the world are watching and listening to him. We do not need anyone to smoke. Put down your politics, and admit that Obama's smoking will be emulated by others. If it's not Ok for our clients to smoke, it's not OK for the president. And, when treatment professionals make such exceptions, people will get the message and rationalize.

Those of you NOT putting Obama down for smoking, I salute you. The ones that do are probably the ones that need to sweep their own doorstep first. Tobacco does not kill more people then anything else. If they would print all the deaths from illegal drugs you would see that. If this country would take as much effort in the drug war as the ones against tobacco, then the drug war would probably be solved and we could be the first country that is drug free. I know, I know. That will never happen but it is wishful thinking.

Look, Barack Obama smokes cigarettes. He smokes at most, one or two a day. He's reduced that number from what it was in the past. He hasn't touched drugs after his teenage years. Does it honestly matter if he lights it up ever now and then? Of course not! There are far more important issues to deal with here, and you're complaining about his personal life? And then, you're making the connection that he's going to start cocaine now? Honestly, that's absurd. I wonder what would happen if every single cigarette smoker did cocaine too--we'd know about it. Obama isn't going to do cocaine--he hasn't touched it since his teen years, and he smokes occasionally. Might I remind you that John McCain also dabbled in smoking during his years in the Air Force as well. He doesn't smoke any more--does that make him still prone to starting his habit back up? No. Honestly people, get a grip. This is a NON-issue. Focus on policy, not privacy.

Firstoff-Yes Sheryl, we get it-you wrote 3 books on addiction.What about shameless self promotion do you not get? The fact that Mr. Obama still smokes is not a big deal-the fact that he is offering advice to others on how to quit something he still does I see as arrogant.I do think that continuing to smoke with today's knowledge says something about a person.

I am very appreciative of the posting of this story and of the thoughtfulness in which Mr. Obama has responded to his interviewer with Men's Health. The truth is, this was about cigarettes, not cocaine, opiates, or marijuana. And, like all other addictive substances--cigarettes or coffee or something else- it does not just go away because we wish it would. If it did, we wouldn't need all of these professionals! Mr. Obama is also correct, reducing use of any substance is a pathway towards abstinence. Research shows us to focus on success; "beating " himself up is beneficial to neither his wellness or his recovery. Focus on what he is doing well and keep moving forward.

Obama has a cigarette now and then. Okay. And which part of that am I supposed to get all worked up about? Does he occasionally go out and kill people? No? Does he rape a few women now and then? No? Does he slap his wife or kids around to relieve the stress now and then? No? You people are a real piece of work. Maybe it's you the rest of us should be concerned about. You definitely have some unresolved issues to deal with.

First, I believe the literature demonstrates that talking about drugs negatively doesn't reduce drug use in the population. DARE hasn't significantly reduced drug use among young people. Second, was obama addicted to cocaine? I haven't heard anything suggesting this, and if not, he wouldn't be triggered to relapse. Also, I think someone in recovery would very readily suggest the purpose of smoking pot is usually realized through inhalation. Finally, Ms. McGinnis, I hate to see a diagnosis handed out over the internet to someone you probably have not spoken with about their substance use. I do strongly appreciate the rest of your post, however.

1. I note that the US voting public has not elected a known current blatant cigaret smoker President since 1944. 2. Obama joins two famous Republicans in quitting "at the last moment" -- Bork and Bennett. Bork (1987) quit the same week he was nominated for the Supreme Court, and no one gave his smoking habit as a reason for putting down his candidacy. Meanwhile another nominee, the first Ginsburg, was shot down for having used cannabis a decade or two earlier. Bennett (1989) was seen by an NPR reporter putting his hand absent-mindedly to his pocket before remembering there were no longer cigarets there. Which is worse-- that a years-long nicotine addict was being made the national "Drug Czar" to crack down on cannabis-- or the fact that he had been allowed to run the Department of Education while still an addict?

Science is now showing that past substance abusers who still smoke cigarettes are at high risk for relapse. Some reasons for this are the cigarette is a trigger for the illicit substance and the addictive pathways in the brain are being kept open by the nicotine. Obama says he is running for president, so he needs a cigarette. If he is elected, would the stress have him relapse on cocaine? Just being a former user would place him at risk for relapse, now that he is smoking, he is at higher risk of doing cocaine again. Also, something he verbalized made me nervous. He said he inhaled MJ as "that's the point." This is not "recovery speak," or these are not the words you want to hear from someone who is now clean. "The point" of what, getting high? Someone in true recovery would not speak that positively about using substances.

Dear Senator Obama, You need to read my 3 books on addiction because you are still addicted to nicotine. Also my children's book on addiction would be perfect for your two young daughters. You can read about my books on my website www.theaddictionmonster.com. I would urge you to take your nicotine addiction seriously and also WHEN you are president, to please do all you can to help the addicted/mentally ill people in our nation. They need help and you can help provide it.