Obama ‘gives up smoking’

US president Barack Obama has given up smoking, his wife has said.

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

She said the president has always wanted to quit.

The president has discussed his struggles with nicotine addiction, acknowledging in June 2009 that he still sneaked the occasional puff.

In December, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he hadn’t seen Obama smoke in nine months.