Source: Jam Music (ca)
Date: 2010-02-27
Author: WENN.COM

Whitney Houston\'s tour promoter has offered an explanation for
the singer\'s faltering voice - the star refuses to quit smoking.

The R&B superstar took her Nothing But Love shows to Australia
this month, but the tour has been marred by complaints from
critics and fans Down Under who claim she has been struggling to
complete her sets.

Houston allegedly coughed her way through a show in Brisbane,
taking regular breaks to catch her breath, while fans are
reported to have walked out of her concert in Sydney when the
singer\'s voice began to crack.

Her spokesperson recently shrugged off rumours of ill health,
and now tour promoter Andrew McManus has opened up about
Houston\'s breathing difficulties, pinpointing her tobacco habit
as the cause.

McManus explains, "Whitney smokes. God bless her, I can\'t tell
her not to. She will not take any substances. She just will not.
It is what it is. She\'s comfortable with the show she\'s
performing. She knows she\'s not hitting every note like she used
to.