New Government warnings highlight the link between smoking and blindness
13 July 2007
One of the graphic warnings that will feature on all tobacco products in Australia.
It is disturbing to realise that many smokers are unaware of the link between smoking and blindness, or that simply ceasing to smoke may prevent serious vision loss later in life.
Vision Australia therefore applauds the efforts of Vision2020, the peak body representing the vision health care sector in Australia, in their ongoing campaign to highlight the dramatic correlation between smoking and blindness.
We are proud of our role as a Board member of Vision2020. Of the 53 current member organisations supporting the work of this organisation Vision Australia is one of just three who sit in the Principal Member category and who donate to their work at the highest level.
The results of this ongoing advocacy can be seen in the next series of Australian Government health warning for all tobacco products. The series will feature a "Smoking causes Blindness" message as one of the seven graphic warnings.
These graphic warnings will appear on all tobacco products including cigarette packs from March 2007 until February 2008, this series will then be rotated again in another 12 months time.
This is a fantastic affirmation that the work of Vision Australia and our colleagues in the blindness and low vision sector is indeed making a difference.
More on Smoking and blindness
- The most common cause of blindness caused by smoking is age-related macular degeneration. The most important known preventable risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration is tobacco consumption.
- Current smokers have four times the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration to compared to past smokers or non-smokers. Smokers may also develop the disease about 10 years earlier than non-smokers.
- It is estimated that smoking causes or contributes to around 20% of new blindness in people over 50 years of age.