Madam, - Smokers are up to four times more likely to lose their sight to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over 50, than people who have never smoked.
AMD destroys central vision, so activities such as reading and writing, as well as recognising small objects or faces, become very difficult.
I am therefore particularly concerned that the Government is neglecting to highlight the proven link between smoking and sight loss through national advertising campaigns and warnings on cigarette packets.
Through its seat on the EU's Tobacco Regulatory Committee, the Department of Health has an opportunity to alert smokers to the dangers to their eyesight by agreeing to expand the list of warnings on cigarette packets to include a warning about smoking and sight loss.
Research from Scotland, Australia and New Zealand has shown that smokers respond positively when the threat to their eyesight is highlighted through television campaigns. The Government cannot continue to ignore this issue. We must take the lead from these countries if we are to succeed in eliminating avoidable sight loss. - Yours, etc,
DES KENNY, Chief Executive, NCBI, Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.