President Obama scolds tobacco firms for fighting new labels

President Barack Obama, recently pronouncedtobacco-free, has tough words for cigarette makers.In a White House web video, the president says some tobaccocompanies are fighting new cigarette warning labels because theydon't want to be honest about the consequences. Several tobaccofirms have sued to block graphic new Food and Drug Administrationlabels for cigarette packs.
The Obama video observes Thursday's 36th "Great AmericanSmokeout" by the American Cancer Society.Obama says the country has made progress in reducing the numberof Americans who smoke but notes that 46 million are stilladdicted.Obama has fought his own smoking habit by chewing nicotine gum.His last medical report, issued Oct. 31, declared him tobacco-free.He concedes quitting smoking is hard and adds, "Believe me, Iknow."