Cigarettes could carry sight-loss warnings

Smoking's link to sight loss will receive the highest profile yet in a new heavyweight advertising campaign. New research published this week revealed that only 7 per cent of people know that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the eyes - but crucially seven out of 10 smokers would stop smoking permanently (41 per cent) or cut down (28 per cent) if they thought it could harm their vision.

A national press advertisement, showing a model with the headline 'Double your chances of sight loss. Smoke' will appear this autumn and the issue will be raised at the party political conferences.

The smoking-affects-your-sight message is being made as the Government presses ahead with its efforts to curb lighting up in public places through its Health Improvement & Protection Bill.

The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), which launched the campaign at its Eye Test Action Day this week, is organising this latest anti-smoking message following new research into the links between tobacco and AMD. Researchers have found Britain's 13 million smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their sight in later life (see panel below).

'The link between smoking and AMD is now as robust as the link between smoking and lung cancer,' said an RNIB spokesman, 'yet few people are aware of the link or even of AMD.'

This week the RNIB was reminding practitioners that AMD is the UK's leading cause of sight loss and that there are around 500,000 AMD sufferers. Research published last year estimated that 54,000 people have the condition as a result of smoking.

Steve Winyard, RNIB head of campaigns, said: 'Smoking is the only proven cause of AMD that people can do anything about, yet people are not aware of the link and most people have not even heard of the condition.

'The message is simple: do not take up smoking, and if you do smoke, stop. People also need to make sure they have regular eye tests to check their eyes are healthy - an eye test can save your sight.'

He said the RNIB was calling on the Government to introduce specific warnings on cigarette packets and to fund a major public awareness campaign on the dangers of smoking to eyesight.

'The RNIB is also joining the British Medical Association and the College of Ophthalmologists in calling for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces across the UK.'

david.challinor@rbi.co.uk