Practices urged to back No Smoking Day

Organisers of No Smoking Day (March 9) are highlighting the risk of vision loss to smokers and are asking practitioners to support the campaign.

The organisation is offering a free campaign pack along with leaflets and other resources from www.nosmokingday.org.uk. Organisers suggested offering discounted tests for people on No Smoking Day as well as putting the event in their marketing plan for next year.

Vishnee Sauntoo, marketing director for the No Smoking Day charity, said: ‘Smoking doubles the risk of sight loss but the positive news is if people quit the risks decrease over time. We believe this could be the incentive many smokers need to help them stop, which is why No Smoking Day would like to engage opticians in the campaign. We have successful working partnerships with GPs, pharmacists and dentists, and believe that opticians can play a crucial role to help reach smokers in their local communities.’