Q: After the 2008 presidential election, President Barack Obama was asked by the media was if he was still smoking cigarettes. He said he would stop smoking soon. Has he stopped smoking?
—Harvey Copeland, Carrollton
A: Obama told a United Nations official in September 2013 that he hadn't smoked a cigarette in six years, USA Today reported, contradicting what he said in 2009, when he said he struggled with smoking. "I haven't had a cigarette in six years … that's because I'm scared of my wife," Obama said in 2013. In 2009 he said, "I've said before that as a former smoker I constantly struggle with it. Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes. Am I a daily smoker, a constant smoker? No."
The Hill reported Nov. 25 that singer/musician Billy Joel was offered a cigarette by Obama during a visit to the White House last December. “ ‘Well, I haven’t smoked in a long time,’ but indicated that he ultimately couldn’t turn down a cigarette offer from the president,” the Hill wrote. The White House didn’t comment on the story. Michelle Obama said in 2012 that the president’s “ability to ultimately kick the habit” was because of their daughters.
Q: If oil is $60 a barrel, what does that translate to at the price at the pump?
—Michelle Barnett, Powder Springs
Q: Gas prices are, on average, more than 60 cents cheaper a gallon this year than they were this time last year. That means a $500 a year savings for the average American household, an economist told CNN.com. Crude oil prices fell below $60 a barrel last week, the lowest prices in five years.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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