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Smoking began around 5000 BC in the Americas, where Indigenous groups used tobacco in spiritual ceremonies, and it gradually spread globally with colonial expansion. Trade helped the distribution of pipes and rolled tobacco leaves. Christopher Columbus first discovered it in 1492, bringing tobacco to Europe, and by the 1550s, Jean Nicot promoted it as a medicinal product, leading to a surge in the use of cigars, pipes, and snuff. Over time, the connection between medicine and science developed, revealing the harmful effects of smoking on lung health. However, it also significantly threatens bone health, which is often overlooked and extends beyond just lung damage. On World Smoking Day, we spoke with Dr. Simon Thomas, Senior Director of Robotic Joint Replacements and Orthopaedics at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, to learn how traditional nicotine use affects bone health over time.

For individuals healing from fractures or having orthopedic surgeries like knee and hip replacements, smoking can hinder recovery. According to Dr. Simon Thomas, one of the primary ways it can slow healing is by narrowing blood vessels due to nicotine, which reduces the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to the bones. This can lead to bones not healing properly after surgery. Besides affecting blood flow, the harmful substances in tobacco also prevent new bone growth. Dr. Simon Thomas explains, “Specifically, tobacco disrupts the work of osteoblasts, which are the cells responsible for building new bone. When osteoblasts are not functioning correctly, the risk of osteoporosis rises, leading to weaker bones that can break easily even with minor injuries. "

In addition to its detrimental impact on healing fractures, smoking heightens the chance of complications after surgery, such as infections and issues with surgical implants. The most effective way to regain your body's ability to heal tissue, including bone, is to stop smoking, and No Smoking Day, or World No Tobacco Day, is an ideal time to begin. Quitting smoking will enhance your ability to stay mobile and maintain strong bones throughout your life. Embracing a smoke-free lifestyle along with consuming more calcium and vitamin D through your diet will promote better health and stronger bones.