It isn’t the lack of willpower. That isn’t the right term for any type of drug abuse, especially nicotine. Nicotine withdrawal is very powerful and I doubt he wants to go through that right now. It takes days if you don’t use other sources of nicotine and that still sucks because their is both a physical and conditioned behavioral component to smoking. A better term is commitment because that means that you are willing to use whatever tools you have to work through it. He could do that but I am sure he has higher priorities right now and waiting a few months isn’t that bad.
For the majority of folks its a non-issue. They are either going to vote for Obama or McCain based on what they decide is best for them.
I honestly dont even think its on any smokers radar, that any one candidate or elected official smokes. Its on the same order as drinking or toking, something normal people do as a matter of course. Does anyone seriously think he is going to enact some sort of Federal law that will trump statewide bans on smoking , so that he can smoke anywhere he wants.
However , you wont hear the word fear mentioned in any converstations, but the echo is there. The movement to erradicate tobacco requires constant vigilance and demonization, shrill cries must be sung about the health hazards and public welfare, less the demon tobacco be unleashed again.
That a high public official smokes is not in itself a harbringer or a death blow to the movement , its a normalization of an adult vice that must be fought. A candidate that would openly smoke and still get elected would be concidered a regression. That he is playing the political game and saying its a bad habit and he has quit and or fallen off the wagon is a sop to those that care.
Declan