Tobacco's hidden legacy: Smoker's bones reveal lasting damage

Tobacco reached Western Europe about 500 years ago, leading to significant changes in people's health behaviors, including the structure of their skeletons.

Until now, archaeologists primarily relied on dental examinations to determine if a person was a smoker. They looked for discolorations or wear caused by pipe smoking, which was relatively effective if the teeth were well-preserved. However, if the teeth were damaged or did not survive, this method proved unreliable.

The scientists from the University of Leicester chose to examine a different aspect—bones. They analyzed 323 cortical bones (the outer, dense layer) from both individuals known to be smokers and those whose smoking history was unknown.

With the use of mass spectrometry, researchers could closely examine the molecular composition of these bones, allowing them to identify 45 unique features that distinguished smokers' bones from those of non-smokers.

The results of the study, published in the prestigious journal "Science Advances," were clear.

The consumption of tobacco leaves a metabolic mark in human bone that is distinctive enough to identify its use in individuals with unknown smoking histories, reports "Science Advances."

While the harmful effects of smoking on soft tissues and organs such as the lungs, bladder, or throat, along with the risk of cancers, strokes, or heart disease, are well-documented, the impact on bones was less studied until now. New observations highlight the fact that smoking can lead to issues related to low bone density, increased risk of fractures, and periodontitis.

Thanks to these discoveries, scientists can now better understand how the long-term habits of smokers leave their mark not only on their overall health but also on the structure of their skeletons. This study provides further evidence of how far-reaching the negative consequences of smoking are, both in health and historical contexts.