Smoking is a major risk for eye diseases, such as cataracta, age-related macular degeneration and dry eye. There is a low awareness of the link between smoking and eye diseases among the citizens and the eye care professionals.

The purpose of this study is to investigate optometrists' and optometry students' attitudes to smoking cessation intervention and health counselling in optometric practice. The purpose of this study is also to investigate optometrists' and optometry students' awareness of the connection between smoking and eye diseases. In addition the aim is to describe health promotion in optometric practice.

Optometry students at Oulu University of Applied Sciences and at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and optometrists around Finland took part in this quantitative cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire was sent to 85 optometrists and 94 optometry students. The final return rate was 71 % (n=127). Data was analyzed using SPSS-statistical program, cross tabulation and the Chi-square test.

According to results, the responders did not express positive attitudes towards smoking cessation intervention in optometric practice. Both the optometrists and the optometry students want to respect the privacy of patients. They also feel it is not their duty to be health adviser. The respondents did not seem to be aware of the connection between smoking and eye diseases. The majority of the optometrist and optometry students admitted that is important to promote the eye health in optometric practice. They also wanted to have more information about consequences of smoking for the eye health.

Smoking cessation intervention and eye health counselling can be improved in optometric practice. The health consequences of smoking should be brought out more than before in the basic education and the updating education of optometrist. The education should provide them ability to take up a client's smoking habits and its effects on eyes' health better than today.