First Lady: President Obama Has Quit Smoking

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama says the president has quit smoking.

The first lady says her husband has not smoked in almost a year. She said it is a personal challenge for him and she is very proud.

Michelle Obama made the comments in an interview with reporters at the White House on Tuesday. She said the president has always wanted to quit.

The president himself has discussed his struggles with nicotine addiction, acknowledging in June 2009 that he still sneaked the occasional puff. The White House last addressed the topic in December, when Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he hadn't seen Obama smoke in nine months but stopped short of asserting that he had quit.