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07/09/2005
Smokers risk sight loss, study claims
Smokers have a greater chance of losing their sight in later life, a new study has claimed.
Research published in the Royal College of Ophthalmologist’s journal Eye suggested that smoking “greatly increases” the chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to severe irreversible sight-loss.
The Royal National Institute of the Blind has called for the government to introduce warnings on cigarette packets, following the publication of the research.
A team of scientists, led by Simon Kelly, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Bolton Eye Unit, reviewed 17 studies of the association between smoking and AMD. They found that smokers in 13 of the studies were significantly more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.
Heavy smokers were at higher risk, the researchers claimed, and the risk was lower for ex-smokers – suggesting that the negative effects could at least be partly negated by quitting smoking.
AMD is the UK’s leading cause of sight loss, with around 500,000 suffering from the condition. An estimated 54,000 of those have the condition as a result of smoking.
However, according to a new report published by the AMD Alliance UK, only 7% of people know that AMD affects the eyes. However, seven out of ten smokers said that they would either stop smoking completely or reduce the amount they smoked, if they thought their eyesight could be affected.
Steve Winyard, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns and Chairman of AMD Alliance UK, called on the government to introduce specific warnings on cigarette packets and to fund a major public awareness campaign. He 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.”
Simon Kelly also supported calls for warnings on cigarette packets. He said: “Knowledge of the link between smoking and AMD is very low, but evidence from Australia and New Zealand shows that raising awareness of this link creates a powerful message for the general public.
“In my clinical experience when people are diagnosed with AMD and learn of the link with smoking they are often sufficiently shocked and motivated to want to stop smoking straight away.”
(KMcA/SP)
Research published in the Royal College of Ophthalmologist’s journal Eye suggested that smoking “greatly increases” the chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to severe irreversible sight-loss.
The Royal National Institute of the Blind has called for the government to introduce warnings on cigarette packets, following the publication of the research.
A team of scientists, led by Simon Kelly, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Bolton Eye Unit, reviewed 17 studies of the association between smoking and AMD. They found that smokers in 13 of the studies were significantly more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.
Heavy smokers were at higher risk, the researchers claimed, and the risk was lower for ex-smokers – suggesting that the negative effects could at least be partly negated by quitting smoking.
AMD is the UK’s leading cause of sight loss, with around 500,000 suffering from the condition. An estimated 54,000 of those have the condition as a result of smoking.
However, according to a new report published by the AMD Alliance UK, only 7% of people know that AMD affects the eyes. However, seven out of ten smokers said that they would either stop smoking completely or reduce the amount they smoked, if they thought their eyesight could be affected.
Steve Winyard, RNIB’s Head of Campaigns and Chairman of AMD Alliance UK, called on the government to introduce specific warnings on cigarette packets and to fund a major public awareness campaign. He 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.”
Simon Kelly also supported calls for warnings on cigarette packets. He said: “Knowledge of the link between smoking and AMD is very low, but evidence from Australia and New Zealand shows that raising awareness of this link creates a powerful message for the general public.
“In my clinical experience when people are diagnosed with AMD and learn of the link with smoking they are often sufficiently shocked and motivated to want to stop smoking straight away.”
(KMcA/SP)
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22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
08 March 2007
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
29 May 2009
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
11 August 2011
Heart Disease Risk Greater For Female Smokers
Women who smoke have an increased risk of developing heart disease compared to men, a new study has found. The US study, which was published in the Lancet, found that women smokers had a 25% higher risk of developing heart disease than men. The study analysed 86 previous studies involving a total of more than four million people.
Heart Disease Risk Greater For Female Smokers
Women who smoke have an increased risk of developing heart disease compared to men, a new study has found. The US study, which was published in the Lancet, found that women smokers had a 25% higher risk of developing heart disease than men. The study analysed 86 previous studies involving a total of more than four million people.
01 February 2010
Smokers 'Halved' By 2020
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10% of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today. The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
Smokers 'Halved' By 2020
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10% of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today. The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
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