A new study has shown that the increased risk of fractures associated with bone fragility in elderly smokers can be reduced under certain conditions.

The Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is beneficial for your health at any age, but the earlier a person gives up the habit, the more pronounced the positive effects will be. Previous research by Korean scientists found that ten years after quitting, former smokers had a significantly lower risk of developing cancer, especially lung cancer. For those who stopped smoking before the age of 50, the likelihood of such tumors dropped by 57%.

The Impact of Smoking on Bone Health

At a recent conference of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, experts highlighted another advantage of long-term smoking cessation. According to the presented report, the risk of fractures caused by bone fragility in elderly smokers can be minimized if certain conditions are met.

The scientific study was based on data from participants in the American Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, which focuses on osteoporosis risk factors in older men. The research included 5,992 US residents with an average age of 74. Special attention was paid to their smoking habits, the duration of smoking, and the time since quitting tobacco.

Study Findings

Over approximately 12 years, the men were monitored, and fracture cases were recorded using medical records. In total, 1,084 participants experienced fractures related to bone fragility, with 237 suffering a hip fracture—a serious injury often leading to disability. About 3.4% of the men continued to smoke during the study, while 59% had smoked in the past.

Statistical analysis revealed a clear pattern: the longer and more heavily a person smoked, the higher their risk of fractures. Current smokers had twice the risk of such injuries compared to non-smokers. Even those who had quit still faced a 20–30% higher risk of fractures if less than ten years had passed since quitting.

Reversibility of Negative Effects

However, if a person had abstained from smoking for more than ten years, the link to increased fracture risk disappeared. This suggests that the negative impact of smoking on bone strength can be reversed over time.

Medical experts estimated that if all smokers gave up the habit, the number of future fractures could decrease by 4%. More than a quarter of recorded fractures could have been avoided if people did not smoke. These findings highlight the importance of programs aimed at reducing smoking rates and supporting those who want to quit this harmful habit.