Prime minister caught smoking

In January a smoking ban entered force in Portugal's public buildings and public transport, but Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates was caught smoking during a flight this week. João Marcelino comments on the incident: "José Sócrates is constantly aware of his role as an opinion-former, which is why he has never smoked in public or let himself be photographed or filmed smoking. On the other hand, he never misses the opportunity to promote his polished image ... and therefore had photos of himself taken during his morning jog at places like the Red Square in Moscow. ... When he smoked on an airplane, he sent the Portuguese the message: do as I say, not as I do! He has since admitted it was a mistake, apologised and promised to quit smoking. He just should not have claimed he was not aware he was breaking the law when he did so."

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