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The image on the right is one of the new graphic images the UK is going to require on cigarette packs to deter people from smoking. You can see another image here which shows a man with what appears to be a horrible throat tumor.

The pictures, which show cancerous lungs and throats as well as rotting teeth, replace written warnings such as “Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes” or “Smoking can cause a slow and painful death” which currently greet going to light up.

The picture warnings will start appearing on cigarette packs from October 1 and will be compulsory from October next year. They will be printed on all tobacco products from October 2010.

One in six people in Britain smoke out of population of more than 60 million and the government has been stepping up measures to reduce that figure.

It’s not something anyone wants to look at or see on a product they are using. It does make the message that smoking is unhealthy very clear. More discussion of the new labels can be found here, here, here and here.

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Marie Claire reports that a large study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition of over 50,000 men and women found that vegetarians get far fewer cancers. However, the study found unexpectedly that vegetarians get more colorectal cancer.

However, the study of 52,700 men and women, which was published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, wasn’t all good news for vegetarians. It was discovered, too, that vegetarians were more likely to have colorectal cancer.

This was surprising as it seems to contradict previous evidence that eating lots of red meat increases the risk of developing the disease.

The Telegraph is also reporting on the research. They note that fish-eaters also had a lower risk of cancer than meat eaters. There’s also been news recently of a study that found that mushrooms may help ward off breast cancer.

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The American Optometric Association (AOA) is warning consumers about the risks of wearing decorative contact lenses without a prescription from an eye doctor. These non-corrective lenses are especially popular around Halloween. According to the AOA, only a proper medical evaluation from an eye doctor can determine whether or not patients are viable candidates to wear contact lenses, if they are capable of wearing lenses without problems, and that the lenses fit properly.

“Purchasing contact lenses without a prescription can result in serious eye health and vision damage since consumers are not properly educated on cleaning and disinfecting, nor in proper removal and application of the contact lens,” said Paul Klein, O.D., chair of the AOA’s Contact Lens and Cornea Section. “Without a prescription and wearing instructions from an eye doctor, consumers who wear these contact lenses put themselves at risk of serious bacterial infection, or even significant damage to the eye’s ability to function, with the potential for irreversible sight loss.”

The AOA says other risks associated with the use of decorative contact lenses include conjunctivitis, swelling, allergic reaction and corneal abrasion due to poor lens fit. Additional medical problems may result in a reduction of visual acuity (sight), contrast sensitivity and other general eye and vision impairments.

“Even though they carry no prescription, and may be worn for short periods of time, decorative contact lenses carry the same risks as corrective contact lenses,” said Dr. Klein. “Because of this, it’s important for consumers utilizing these lenses to familiarize themselves with the information available from an eye doctor, so as to reduce the risk of infection.”

Recommendations for Decorative Contact Lens Wearers from the American Optometric Association

1. See an optometrist for a proper fitting and prescription
2. Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.
3. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your
   optometrist. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly
   before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution
   to completely cover the lens.

4. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case at a
   minimum of every three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.

5. Use only products recommended by your optometrist to clean and
   disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not
   designed to disinfect lenses.

6. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses.
   Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed
   according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, even if the lenses
   are not used daily.

7. Always follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule
   prescribed by your optometrist.

8. Remove contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
9. See your optometrist for your regularly scheduled contact lens and eye
   examination.

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