New research has revealed that tobacco leaves traces in the bones of smokers, lasting not only throughout their lives but for centuries after their deaths, it has been reported.
Researchers from the University of Leicester have studied human remains buried in Britain between the 12th and 19th centuries. They have revealed the significant impact of tobacco on bones and its association with bone-related conditions, such as an increased risk of fractures.
The study emphasises how the introduction of tobacco to Western Europe about 500 years ago led to notable changes in human skeletal structure.
Traditionally, archaeologists identified smokers through dental evidence, looking for stains or wear from pipe use, but this method was often unreliable when teeth were missing or poorly preserved.
The Leicester team analysed 323 cortical bones – the dense outer layer that provides bone strength – of both known tobacco users and individuals with unknown smoking histories.
Using mass spectrometry, they identified 45 distinct molecular features that distinguished smokers’ bones from non-smokers.
The study, published in Science Advances, reads: “Tobacco consumption leaves a metabolic record in human bone distinctive enough to identify its use in individuals of unknown tobacco consumption.
“Archaeological human skeletal remains have the potential to provide direct evidence that can be used to study past pathological and health conditions, including diseases associated with tobacco use.”
Dr Sarah Inskip, a co-author of the study, said: “Our research shows significant differences in the molecular features of bones from past tobacco users and non-users. This finding indicates that tobacco use impacts the structure of our skeletons.
“Our ongoing research aims to understand how these differences emerge, which may have implications for understanding why tobacco use is a risk factor for certain musculoskeletal and dental disorders.”
While the harmful effects of smoking on soft tissues and organs – such as higher risks of lung, bladder, and throat cancers, as well as stroke and coronary artery disease – are well-known, its impact on bones has been less explored.
Smoking has been linked to bone-related issues, including low bone density, a higher risk of fractures, and periodontitis.
This research not only highlights the historical prevalence of smoking but also emphasises the far-reaching and long-lasting effects of tobacco on human health, providing valuable insights into the skeletal consequences of this widespread habit.
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