Obama finally kicks the butt, 'hasn't smoked for 9 months'

London, Dec 29 (ANI): US President Barack Obama seems to have kicked his smoking habit once and for all.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President has done 'extremely well in quitting', and has not smoked in about nine months, reports the Telegraph.

He said he has not witnessed any evidence of Obama having a cigarette since March, when doctors advised him after a routine medical examination to give up the habit.

"It was a commitment that I think he made to himself at the end of the health care and with his two daughters in mind," Gibbs told CNN.

He said the President has helped to overcome his habit by chewing Nicorette gum.

During the presidential campaign, Obama vowed to quit smoking. However, since moving into the White House, he admitted there were times when he had 'fallen off the wagon' and smoked an occasional cigarette.

The news that he has not smoked for nine months will come as a relief to the First Lady, who has constantly badgered her husband to give up his reported two-decade habit.

Michelle Obama - a zealous anti-smoker - only supported her husband's presidential campaign on condition that he quit. (ANI)