Great Britain: 17,000 blinded by fags (Smoking, that is)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | September 7 ,2005 | EMMA MORTON

[Stoat]

17,000 blinded by fags

By EMMA MORTON

 MORE than 17,000 Britons have gone blind because they SMOKE, it was revealed yesterday.

 

The shock statistic shows the link between fags and sight loss is as strong as that between cigs and lung cancer.

The cigarettes cause a form of blindness called Age-Related Macular Degeneration, known as AMD.

Smoke destroys cells in an area at the back of the eye named the macular. And smokers do not absorb nutrients from food essential for good eyesight.

Cigarette puffers are four times more likely to develop AMD or lung cancer than those who shun the weed.

And even social smokers who only indulge on nights out run double the risk of blindness than people who never light up.

The alert follows research by medics from Manchester University.

Study leader Simon Kelly, a consultant opthalmic surgeon, said: “An important health message needs to be conveyed. We would like to see labelling on cigarette packets.”

AMD victim Pauline Edwards, 50, was told she had the eyes of an 80-year-old — and was going blind.

The ex-nurse, of Salford, Greater Manchester, used to smoke up to 40 fags a day.

She said: “I woke up one morning and the walls in my bedroom seemed wobbly. I was very, very frightened.”

[Stoat]

[Stoat]

[metesky]

Who said that? (Groping blindly around)

[Stoat]

"Handing you this

 

while you grope about "

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Not suprised...watching Bobby and Jimmy go skipping up the street not only blinds me but makes me ralph my lunch!...Oh!...never mind...you were talking about cigs.

[SamAdams76]

Is this why Barney Frank wears thick glasses?

[Stoat]

Not suprised...watching Bobby and Jimmy go skipping up the street not only blinds me but makes me ralph my lunch!...

It appears that SOMETHING has blinded the Calif. Legislature as well.......

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/06/D8CF5BP00.html

Calif. Lawmakers Pass Gay Marriage Bill Sep 06 10:52 PM US/Eastern

By STEVE LAWRENCE
Associated Press Writer
 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.
 

The California Legislature on Tuesday became the first legislative body in the country to approve same-sex marriages, as gay-rights advocates overcame two earlier defeats in the Assembly.

The 41-35 vote sends the bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill's supporters compared the legislation to earlier civil rights campaigns, including efforts to eradicate slavery and give women the right to vote.

"Do what we know is in our hearts," said the bill's sponsor, San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno. "Make sure all California families will have the same protection under the law."

Leno's bill had failed in the Assembly by four votes in June, but he was confident he could get it through on a second try after the Senate approved a same-sex marriage bill last week.

Democratic Assemblyman Paul Koretz called bans on gay marriage "the last frontier of bigotry and discrimination, and it's time we put an end to it."

Assemblyman Tom Umberg, a Democrat who abstained when another gay marriage bill fell four votes short in June, said he was concerned about what his three children would think of him if he didn't join those "who sought to take a leadership role in terms of tolerance, equality and fairness."

But opponents repeatedly cited the public's vote five years ago to approve Proposition 22, an initiative put on the ballot by gay marriage opponents to keep California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries.

"History will record that you betrayed your constituents and their moral and ethical values," said Republican Assemblyman Jay La Suer.

 

[Stoat]

Is this why Barney Frank wears thick glasses?

Could be....it could also relate to a variety of oral fixations of his that would be entirely inappropriate to delve into in a 'family' forum.

[metesky]

I can tell by the feel of the pack that you're trying to give me Marlboros. (Lights one) Ah, Marlboro Mediums.

Yes sir, a commonsewer such as myself don't need no damn sight anyway.

But could you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the urinal? I don't want to ruin JimRob's new carpet.

[metesky]

Hey Barney! Rule #1 - Never let 'em see you sweat.

[Stoat]

But could you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the urinal? I don't want to ruin JimRob's new carpet

Here, I'll have one of our friendly 'Thread Hostesses" show you the way.   Just take her hand and everything will be just fine.

 

[Stoat]

Hey Barney! Rule #1 - Never let 'em see you sweat.

I have no doubt that he has a squad of extremely young 'towel boys' waiting nearby to assist him with any moisture issues that may crop up.

[R. Scott]

Makes me glad I smoke Marlboros and not Sovereign cigarettes.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

She can thread my hostess twinky anyday!...Thanks for the picture of sanity amongst the gay street walkers.....

[Stoat]

Makes me glad I smoke Marlboros and not Sovereign cigarettes.

Yes, I'm sure that those Russki cigs will do a whole lot more than merely make you blind.  They'll probably make you lose your mind and vote with the Dems! (((((shudder))))

[metesky]

I just want to take a leak. I'm old and that looks like I could get seriously hurt!

[Stoat]

She can thread my hostess twinky anyday!...Thanks for the picture of sanity amongst the gay street walkers.....

You're quite welcome!  A pic like that is much like giving the landscape a nice clean scrubbing, isn't it?

[Stoat]

I just want to take a leak. I'm old and that looks like I could get seriously hurt!

Aww, don't worry!  Our Friendly Thread Hostesses haven't hurt a poster yet!  Here, I'll have one of her friends tag along to make absolutely sure that things go just the way you want them to.

How's that?

[R. Scott]

I Googled a few articles on European cigarettes. It seems that due to the high taxation there are a lot of counterfeits out there – with some nasty additives.

[Stoat]

I Googled a few articles on European cigarettes. It seems that due to the high taxation there are a lot of counterfeits out there – with some nasty additives.

I'm sure that you're correct....whenever a desired item becomes overtaxed, market forces, whether legitimate or not, will step in to fill the demand.

I'm guessing that if it weren't for the easy availability of Indian reservation cigarettes at lower prices, there would a massive black market for cigs here in the USA with not only stolen merchandise but counterfeit products as well.

I recall hearing that black market cigarette activities were heating up in the NYC area after the smoking bans went into effect there.