A picture of a rather louche looking Barack Obama wearing a panama and smoking what looks suspiciously like a spliff appears in the papers today.

Barack allegedly promised his daughters he'd give up smoking if he won the election.
Today's story says he has vowed to give up smoking after his inauguration on January 20th.
Hmmmmn, don't hold your breath.

But Barack, here's a suggestion to help you justify not quitting. With the American economy in freefall everybody must do what they can to support the industrial and manufacturing sectors. It would be churlish to give up smoking at this time, when the American tobacco industry needs all the help it can get.
Imagine, if the President publicly gives up, others might feel inclined to follow their Commander in Chief's lead and then where would the tobacco industry be?

Add to this the strain on the economy of people not falling ill and keeling over fom cancer in their fifties, thereby staying in their jobs and preventing the next generation from gaining work experience.

Plus the loss of jobs in the healthcare sector, as people live longer healthier lives.

Finally the loss of revenue from tobacco products would be sorely missed in these financially tight times.

Barack it is your duty as an American to keep those Marlboro's lit, lead your country by example, ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country... and the answer is right there, a fine curl of smoke drifting upwards as it waits for you to take that longed for drag.

And while the science lobby rejoice over Obama's appointing a new science adviser who pays lip service to green causes, the President - elect shows how misplaced their joy is when he backs a big push towards biofuel. Read post Obama Buys Into Biofuel