Black Smoke

Before Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III became the

President of the Republic of the Philippines, the

media and the Filipino people bombarded him

with criticisms. One of them was his “heavy”

smoking.

Being the person who now holds the highest position in this

country, P-Noy could not simply say that smoking is his coping

mechanism against stresses and pressures. Smoking, as experts

say, is not a healthy way to deal with stress. It puts a great

deal of risk on anyone’s health and P-Noy is not exempted.

The president’s health is certainly of great importance to the

country. Its future depends greatly on him.

There are lots of other reasons why P-Noy should curve, if

not stop, his smoking habit. First, there is “Tobacco Regulation

Act of 2003” or also known as Republic Act No. 9211. That act

regulates the use of Tobacco products. This does not excuse

the president, of course. If he continues to smoke and does

it conspicuously, instead of becoming the role model of the

young Filipinos, he would set himself as the first violator of the

said law.

Memorandum Circular No. 17 Series of 2009 of the Civil

Service Commission of the Philippines stipulated that “smoking

shall be absolutely prohibited in or on the premises, buildings

and grounds of government agencies providing health,

education and/or social welfare and development.” The said

policy is in accordance to Republic Act 9211 and Article 8 of

World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco

Control. The policy defined a “smoking area” as “located in

an open space”, and should not be “located within 10 meters

of entrances, exits or where people congregate”. As a result,

the Presidential Security Group will have a hard time securing

P-Noy every time he decides to smoke.

The seventh guideline of the same policy also stipulated

the prohibition of smoking in government vehicles. This

means the president is not allowed to smoke while using the

Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class, the BMW E38 750iL, the Chevrolet

Suburvan, and also even the “First Car” which he used during

the presidential inauguration day.

In his inaugural speech his excellency mentioned: “Ang

layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga

magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na

kuya, at MABUTING MAMAMAYAN.” A good citizen “respects the

environment and does not damage it in any way” and “obeys

the law and rules, even when no one is watching”. Smoking

certainly isn’t one habit a good citizen should have. P-Noy’s

decision not to quit sniffing nicotine is contrary to his words.

Quoting again from his inaugural speech: “Sisikapin kong

maging isang mabuting EHEMPLO.” This is what the youth and

the smokers need today. However, he failed to become the

prime advocate to lessen the daily death of 240 Filipinos caused

by tobacco-related diseases.

Even Vice-President Jejomar Binay and Former President

Fidel Valdez Ramos are critical on P-Noy’s smoking image.

Former President Ramos even offered P-Noy a sort of solution

by saying he was able to kick away his nicotine addiction

through “self-discipline and sheer determination”. Other

personalities also had the same call. In fact, Executive Director

Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Tobacco

Control Alliance (FCA) in Philippines advised P-Noy to undergo

smoking cessation therapy. FCA also offered programs to help

him cope with the side effects of sniffing one pack or 20 sticks

of cigarettes a day. He could always go for this option if he is

really willing to care for his health. We know this would entail a

lot of sacrifices. His decision to quit sniffing nicotine is, among

others, also a test of his political will, self-determination, and

discipline.

P-Noy is not an ordinary citizen of the Philippines anymore.

He is now the country’s President. Whether he likes it or not, his

decision to end his smoking habit will leave a great impact on

the entire nation.