I think all of us are aware that smoking is not healthy. But what about smoking and nicotine’s effect on bone health? I am asked this from time to time. The simple answer is “It’s Bad!” But why? Here are some things to know. . .
Research has shown that the chemicals in cigarettes, including nicotine, affect everything from blood circulation to how cell behavior — and that the resulting damage is not limited to the heart and lungs.
Some of the established connections between smoking and musculoskeletal health are as follows:
- Smoking restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood that nourishes bones, muscles, and joints and helps them heal.
- Smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to lower bone density and weaker bones.
- Nicotine slows the production of the bone-forming cells that are so crucial to healing.
- Smoking appears to break down estrogen more quickly — a key ingredient to building and maintaining a healthy skeleton. 1
Nicotine products, including gum, patches, and vape juice, are just as harmful as cigarettes 1
This study on vaping showed E-cigarette carcinogens have a toxic effect on osteoblast cells, and that long-term use may decrease bone mineral density and increase future risk for those with osteoporosis. 2
Adult cigarette smokers given an e‑cigarette appeared to show a greater ability to extract nicotine from their device after four weeks of use. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of smoking on bone are now well known (decreased BMD, increased rate of fracture and nonunion, and increased perioperative complications).https://doi.org/10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1 26 Jun 2019
Tobacco and nicotine increase the risk of bone fractures and interfere with the healing process, according to a growing body of research. Nicotine can slow fracture healing, estrogen effectiveness, and can counter the antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E.Stanford Health Care /https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/bones-joints-and-muscles/fracture/causes/smoking.html
According to an article by MEDWEB /Feinberg School of Medicine, on April 27, 2012, it’s not just nicotine but dioxin, TCDD, a component of cigarette smoke, saying smokers in particular, will find wound healing and bone regeneration to be major issues. 3 One study, however, showed it may not be the nicotine alone that hinders osteoblast activity, though most studies support this, but it may be dependent on dose. 4
Anyway you look at it, smoking, nicotine, patches, etc., are all bad for the bones and can hinder bone healing efforts by the body.
Ready to quit? Here’s how you can get started.
If you’re ready to kick the habit for good, check out this link: 10 Tips to Help You Quit Smoking
Remember: Healthy Bones Are Happy Bones!
This is a page from “Opening the Doors to Reversing and Healing Osteoporosis”
Copyright © by Douglas K. Johnson 2021, 2026
Other Reading Sources:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0059402
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3864438/
Naturally Better Bones 