SHOPPERS AT the Overgate, Centre, Dundee, were given a stark warning yesterday—smoking can blind you.

A giant video wall has been erected at the centre to air a hard-hitting new film created by the Royal National Institute for the Blind with the support of the Scottish Executive.

The video highlights the condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause blindness, and its links to chemical compounds found in tobacco products.

The timing of the launch is apt, coming just days before a smoking ban in public places comes into force across Scotland.

Dundee West MSP Kate Maclean, who chairs the Scottish Parliament’s cross- party group on visual Impairment and was at the launch, spoke of her fight to give up smoking.

She has a history of diabetes and heart disease in her family and smoking is a known risk factor for the development of both conditions.

She said, “I knew I should really start looking after my health a wee bit better.

“I used (nicotine replacement) patches but it was difficult.

“Even now I have occasional pangs.

“People should not underestimate how hard it is but it is doable.

“I had my first cigarette when I was 10 and was a full time smoker for 30 years.

“I would say I am a smoker in remission. I don’t think you can ever say you would never have another cigarette. I know people who have stopped for years and started again.”

Turning to the RNIB video, Ms Maclean added, “The message that smoking can damage your eyesight is a vital one and too many people still do not realise that they risk their sight by smoking.

“With the smoking ban coming into force this weekend many people will already be wondering whether they should give up.

“Now they have another really good reason for kicking the habit.”

RNIB director John Legg said, “Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of sight loss and smoking is the only avoidable proven cause of AMD.

“Smokers are twice as likely to contract the condition as a non-smokers.

“The link between AMD and smoking has now been shown to be as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer, but very few people know about it.”

Optometrist Ian Jarvis, of the Tayside Area Optical Committee, said, “We wholeheartedly back the RNIB campaign to draw attention to the threat to sight from smoking.”