A week of news - smoking increases risk of blindness

New tobacco labelling laws recognise smoking as being detrimental to eye health - see smoking label crackdown.

Judging by an RNIB study the move might have most effect on teenagers, who worry more about their eyesight than lung cancer or a stroke (News 09.02.07).

The European Commission has adopted a total of 14 new labels altogether, meaning smokers can expect a barrage of scary warnings in the coming years. Having said that, what could be more off-putting than the first 'smoking kills' warning, which sent label makers into a frenzy in the first place?

For many nicotine addicts the shock tactics did little to suppress the urge for a cigarette, although others have benefitted from it, together with their own will power or the smoking ban, and given up.

Responses to the blindness labels will indicate whether such tactics work when it comes to vision. If they do, perhaps optical firms could highlight dangers such as contact lens non-compliance or exposure to UV more severly themselves.