EDITORIAL - Never mind the smoking, just keep the promises

Because smoking has become a controversial worldwide issue, irrepressibly fashionable Filipinos have suddenly found it the new fashion to criticize Noynoy Aquino for his irrepressible smoking.

There is no argument that smoking is bad. There is also no argument that the next leader of the Philippines is a chain-smoker who vowed not to even try and kick the habit just because many people, both the well-meaning and the spiteful, have appealed to him to do so.

But the smoking habits of Noynoy cannot, by any justifiable means, be made as a standard to measure the effectiveness or failure of his impending leadership. There are far better ways to do that.

Some people argue that smoking is being aggressively discouraged by the government which Noynoy will soon be heading. Therefore, they contend, Noynoy should show leadership by example by quitting the habit.

What the argument misses is that, while smoking is being severely discouraged, complete with graphic illustrations of its ill effects, the fact remains it has not been completely outlawed. On the contrary, the government continues to derive huge taxes from it.

The true test of the capability of Noynoy should not rest on his smoking but on whether he can deliver on his promises. Having made what amounts to be nearly-impossible promises, it is interesting to find out what his batting average would eventually be.

Having won by overwhelming fashion, the expectations of people from Noynoy are far harder to fulfill than kicking smoking. They become especially insurmountable given the distrust of the far greater number of people who did not vote for him.

Even if Noynoy gives up smoking, greatness does not necessarily follow a leader trying to set that example. If he does quit smoking, all it means is he quit smoking. No big deal. The big deal is how he leads a country in ways that are more measurable by the satisfaction it generates.

Noynoy not giving up smoking does not strike fear in the hearts of Filipinos. What does is the possibility that he might give up something else — the fulfillment of promises sweet to the ear during the campaign but bitter pills to swallow when the bell rings for him to time in.