MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral has called on presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno Aquino III to quit smoking for his own sake and as an example to the nation.

Interviewed by reporters in Angeles, Pampanga where the Cabinet meeting was held yesterday, Cabral said it is Aquino’s choice to quit or not but he should keep in mind that smoking is bad for the health and he will soon be at the center of public attention.

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Bishop Warlito Cajandig also said yesterday that Aquino should follow the lead of US President Barack Obama who has made a conscious effort to cut down smoking.

Cabral admitted that quitting smoking is easier said than done, considering that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances around.

“Every person is entitled to do what he wants to do. We were, of course, hoping that he would heed the advice of physicians because smoking is bad for the health, not just of the person but of the people around him,” Cabral said.

The studies about the effect of second-hand smoke on individuals are extensive but more than that, the president has a bigger role to play in the State’s campaign against smoking, she added.

Cajandig, member of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Health, reminded smokers that if they follow the word of God, they know that smoking is unhealthy.

The Department of Health also issued an administrative order recently giving tobacco companies until mid-July to put graphic health warnings on tobacco product packages.

Cabral warned that violators of the administrative order face penalties ranging from seizure of products, closure of stores or “point of sale” and a fine of up to P5 million.

But Cajandig said that even the graphic warnings may not convince smokers to stop their habit.

He instead appealed to tobacco companies to change their business.

“Even if they say that they are only running a business, they should take into consideration that the product that they are selling is bad for the health. So they should stop their business,” he said.

Bigger role

Once he becomes president, Aquino will become an even bigger role model than he is right now as he would be on center stage most of the time and would be instrumental in the crafting of policy, including those related to health issues.

If Aquino eventually decides to publicly quit smoking, Cabral said that this would be very welcome in the campaign against smoking.

“If he does, I’m sure that he is going to be an excellent demonstration of leadership by example,” Cabral said.

“If he doesn’t do it, that’s still his prerogative but as president, I also am sure he will still support anti-smoking activities because he knows that it is bad for the citizenry,” she added.

Aquino has indicated that he would not be quitting his habit soon, especially now that he is set to become the country’s next president.

He implied that smoking would help take away the stress from his work and that quitting the habit could add “unnecessary stress” and might affect his decision-making.

“If he makes that sacrifice, it is a big sacrifice because it is hard to stop smoking,” Cabral said.

“Not only should the president take care of himself, everybody should take better care of himself or herself,” she said.

Cabral is being considered by the camp of Aquino as one of the Cabinet officials who could possibly be retained.

Asked about her thoughts on a possible stint under the Aquino administration, Cabral declined to comment because anything she says about the issue would be subject to various interpretations. – With Evelyn Macairan

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