Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on President Benigno Aquino III to support government efforts in reducing the number of smokers by quitting smoking himself.
Lawmakers are currently being pressed to pass the Sin Tax Bill into law which is expected to raise the prices of cigarettes thereby reducing the incidence of smoking in the country.
Marcos notes that it is ironic that the government is pushing for such a regulation while the head of the country himself could not kick off the habit. Bongbong suggests that PNoy should try to quit smoking slowly.
According to reports, the president’s smoking habits were recently brought to light again when many observed his constant coughing and sneezing during the 9th Media Nation Summit which was held in Tagaytay City last Friday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda responds to critics by saying that this was due to the influenza and allergic rhinitis which the president recently contracted and has not yet recovered from.
Lacierda stated that the president does have intentions of quitting smoking but presently, it is his means of de-stressing. He asks critics to leave PNoy to “find a solution to his smoking.”
