16°c Overcast
14°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Cigarette labelling finally includes blindness
If there weren't already compelling enough reasons for you to quit smoking, think about the risk to your vision.
While it's well-known smoking can cause cancer, heart disease and strokes, up until recently there has been little awareness about the fact smoking can also cause serious and permanent vision loss.
For a long time, I personally bemoaned the fact Canada had no requirements that cigarette packaging carry a warning about smoking and blindness. Cigarette packaging in other countries -- such as Australia, for example -- have carried the message "smoking causes blindness" for some time.
But soon my wish will be granted. New regulations for tobacco-product labelling in Canada mean that, as of June 19, retailers can only legally sell cigarettes that display new health warnings, including the fact that smoking increases your risk of blindness.
Specifically, the warning points to the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in Canadians 50 years and older.
AMD causes damage to the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for seeing fine details (such as reading print or seeing faces). People with AMD generally experience blurred central vision and a growing central blind spot.
We've known for some time primary and second-hand smoke from cigarettes is a major risk factor for AMD. Current smokers have up to four times the risk of developing AMD compared to non-smokers or past smokers. Smokers may also develop the disease about 10 years earlier than non-smokers. How much you smoke also affects your risk of acquiring AMD. People who smoke more have a higher risk of developing AMD than those who smoke less.
The good news? Quitting can make a difference. Studies indicate a person's risk for AMD will decrease each year they don't smoke, so after 20 years, the risk is equal to that of someone who has never smoked.
In addition to AMD, smoking is a risk factor for developing cataracts and vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
I sincerely hope those people who are still smoking will heed the new warnings about the risk of vision loss. They need to know living with vision loss can be life-altering. Clinical depression is three times as common in people with vision loss compared to the general population. And seniors with vision loss face twice the risk of falls and four times for hip fractures.
So, if the well-known risks associated with smoking aren't enough to make you quit, think about the implications of losing your sight.
Keith Gordon is vice-president, research, for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 9, 2012 A17
More Analysis
- Back to Top
- Return to Analysis
Poll
Most Popular Analysis
- Will stereotype perceptions of crack cocaine go to pot?
- Shocking exclusion
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- Manitoba showed that a 'Senate' can be abolished
- To call 'Cliffy' a character doesn't do him justice
- Vancouver water cheap, unmetered
- 'Fried chicken' is no more a joke than the N-word
- Flat-rate property tax tabled
- Airports belong to Canadian taxpayers
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- BlackBerry: off the mat, hitting back
- 'Most hated man' in Senate
- Physician networks a way forward for health care
- Lower drug prices, lower costs, better care?
- What is Struthers afraid of?
- Can't lose when ends justify means
- How to humble wing nuts
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- A decade after Mad Cow — the legacy of a crisis
- Don, it's not about nakedness
- Speeding fine only half of it
- Ashton might try to get the facts straight
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- 'Done deal' offends Whiteshell cottagers
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Manitoba could follow B.C. on surrogacy issue
- City council can't decide which bus to ride
- The Angelina Jolie effect
- Shocking exclusion
- What is Struthers afraid of?
- How to humble wing nuts
- Bill 18 is perfect example of bad law
- THIS IS NO WAY TO MAKE A POINT!!!
- Harper embraces multilateralism on Arctic issues
- Elijah's essence was most easily found in the wilderness
- Manitoba showed that a 'Senate' can be abolished
- Mental health system lacking funds, awareness
- 'Genetic engineered' might save planet
- 'Done deal' offends Whiteshell cottagers
- Kim Sigurdson It's time for government fish monger to cut bait
- Speeding fine only half of it
- How CBC and others torque ratings
- Where is Canada's strategy to help Ukraine?
- Mother Nature springs into action
- Female chiefs needed
- Ashton might try to get the facts straight
- 'Longevity pensions' a promising idea
- Fisher could have been paid $16,000 for his 'wasted fish'
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.