Across the pond

According to Associated Press the White House physician urged President Obama to continue his smoking cessation efforts in his latest check-up. I beg to differ. I, for one, will sleep safer in my bed knowing that the leader of the free world is having the occasional cigarette when he feels like it. I totally accept the serious effects of smoking on health. But most of the world is denying that nicotine does have some beneficial effects.

Notably it helps you to keep calm when everyone around you is panicing. And it helps manic depressives like me to manage their condition. At 76 I am feeling some of harmful effects. My coughs in the morning can be heard in the house opposite.

But Obama coming up to 40 is a picture of health. It may kill him in the end but not very soon, because he does not smoke many. He does not have to do, because like me he smokes Camels, which is a blend of Virginia and Turkish. Just the right cigarette for a President who is concerned with fostering better relationships with the Muslim world. And dedicated to keeping the peace rather than rushing into wars.

The doc is also worried about his tendonitis, which they think is to do with his regular basket ball playing. Maybe that will give him a heart attack sooner than smoking. But I am not suggesting that he take up something more sedate like golf. But perhaps he might benefit by cutting down on his basket ball and having a fag or two when he feels the urge to leap up to the net.