News Date: Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Tim highlights the dangers of smoking
Last week East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton attended a Parliamentary reception aimed at drawing attention to the link between smoking and sight loss. A recent survey carried out for the journal Eye found that only five per cent of smokers knew that smoking can cause blindness.
The RNIB are currently campaigning to raise awareness of the effects smoking can have on one's sight and are encouraging politicians to get this important health message out to the public so that smokers can make an informed decision about the risks they wish to take with their health.
Tim commented:
"54,000 smokers in the UK have already lost their sight and with an estimated 18,000 smokers in East Worthing and Shoreham it is imperative that we make people aware of the health problems that smoking poses for people's sight.
"The research clearly shows that the public are not aware of the risks and this is why I am supporting the RNIB campaign to get a new warning of cigarette packets stating that smoking causes blindness."
Note to Editor:
1) A picture of Tim at the RNIB Parliamentary reception on 15th November with Steve Winyard, RNIB Head of Campaigns is attached to this email.
2) For more information about the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) please visit http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/InternetHome.hcsp
Tim Loughton MP , 2005
