Where Would Obama Smoke (WWOS)?
Barry, smoking without fear in freer times.
Despite the fact that Obama would likely want to keep his smoking habit as far away from his family as possible, if there\'s anywhere inside the White House that a cig could be smoked, it\'s on the 2nd floor personal residence. Out of anywhere, we\'re thinking the Cosmotology room is the best bet. The Lincoln Bedroom might still have a funk from the donors that stayed there as well, so that\'s a possibility also.
The cold-storage cooler in the White House Basement. Every cooler we\'ve ever worked in during our foodservice career had some serious ventilation, so if the Pres were to duck in there for a few minutes, he could probably get away with it. Also, many people who work in kitchens smoke as well, so Barry might well have a smoking buddy or two.
The bowling alley is a gimme. C\'mon, it\'s a bowling alley.
We haven\'t been able to make sure that there\'s still a bomb shelter underneath the White House. If there is, it\'s a safe bet that if it can protect the President from an explosive attack, it can also probably provide some cover for a smoke break.
Yes, it\'s out doors, but if Willie Nelson can allegedly roast a joint on the White House roof, the President can sneak a smoke or two every now and again, we\'re sure.
\<a href=\"http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/25584782/obamas_secret_record_collection\"\>According to Rolling Stone,\<\/a\> the White House has an extensive record collection. While this isn\'t an actual picture of it, we imagine there\'s a pretty cool listening room that could serve as a hideout to light up a cigarette - or something else to inhale - and fire up Dark Side of the Moon or some Marley.
The West Wing of the White House. If anything would drive us to cigarettes, it\'s trying to run the country outta here - so it\'s even odds that the President ducks into the study off of the Oval Office. One door, no windows, and assuming the President is familiar with the concept of the \<a href=\"http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=blow%20tube\"\>blow tube\<\/a\> he\'s scott free.
Quitting smoking is a pain in the ass, no doubt about it. And we aren't going to begrudge the leader of the free world a cigarette every now and then if he wants one. But in the wake of President Obama's doctor visit this week, where it was revealed that he should continue his "smoking cessation programs," it's being asked if he's still lighting up on the regular. Now, just the suggestion that he keep chewing the Nicorette doesn't necessarily equate to "stealing a few smokes a week," but it certainly does imply that the POTUS may occasionally need the use of a White House branded ashtray. Assuming he's chipping, this all leads to the next logical question: Where the hell is the guy smoking, anyways?
A couple caveats: the political paparazzi would kill for a photo of the President smoking, so it probably isn't anywhere easily seen from outside. This eliminates the Truman Balcony, much to the chagrin of every White House visitor who's ever wanted to enjoy a cocktail and a cigar overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue. Also consider the fact that the White House is, despite being a private residence, still a government building. Not only that, Hillary banned smoking indoors while during her reign as FLOTUS back in 1993 as she worked on health-care reform. No one says that the current administration absolutely has to follow those rules, but he isn't likely going to feel open enough to have a leisurely smoke while wandering the South Lawn either. So where does that leave us?
We've assembled a few potential hideouts to sneak a smoke. If you can think of anywhere else to "inhale," let us know, but the next time we're invited to a State Dinner, we're going to keep an eye out for ourselves.