GIVING up smoking is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but research by a blindness charity has shown many are unaware of just how beneficial cutting the habit could be.

With January 1 fast approaching, many will be committing to starting the year right by throwing their cigarettes away, joining the gym, eating more healthily or cutting down on booze.

But the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has added an extra reason to kick the habit.

Research by the charity has shown 72 per cent of smokers in the Midlands had no idea lighting up could double the risk of sight loss, but two out of five were more inclined to stopping after learning of the risk.

The charity’s eye health manager Clara Eaglen said: “Most people know that smoking can lead to lung cancer, but very few are aware of the link between smoking and sight loss.

“People still don’t seem to understand the risks.

“People who smoke not only double their risk of developing the sight condition age-related macular degeneration, but they also tend to develop it earlier than non-smokers do.”

“The good news is that you can make a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and have regular eye tests – all lifestyle changes which can help save your sight.”

The charity is hoping that by raising awareness of this link smokers will consider ‘kicking the habit’ as part of their New Year’s resolutions.

As well as losing sight, quitting smoking can also reduce the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, breathing problems and others.

Kicking the habit can also increase life expectancy, as well as decreasing the likelihood of developing conditions such as impotence in men and fertility problems in women as well as gum disease, tooth loss and pregnancy complications.

Associate medical director with the British Heart Foundation Dr Mike Knapton said quitting smoking was “the single best thing you can do to protect your heart.

“Research shows that a smoker who gives up on January 1 will see their risk of coronary heart disease cut in half by the end of the year,” he said.

“There are still around 10 million smokers across the country and smoking remains the number one cause of premature avoidable death in the UK. And, making sure that you do regular exercise is a great way to maintain a healthy heart and put years on your life.

“It's never too late to start."

Benefits of quitting smoking can become apparent as soon as 72 hours after kicking the habit, when breathing will become easier and energy increases.

Skin will begin to look clearer after one month while breathing will be noticeably easier after between three and nine months.

A year after quitting the risk of heart attack falls by about half and will be the same as someone who has never smoked after 15 years.

For help quitting smoking speak to your GP or pharmacist.