A team of archaeologists have discovered that traces of tobacco can remain in the bones of smokers not only throughout their lives but for centuries after their deaths. It can cause major health hazards in the human body leading its traces to remain longer than expected.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Leicester who examined human remains buried in Britain between the 12th and 19th centuries. They found that people who smoke tobacco have a profound impact on their bone health and it links to bone-related conditions such as an increased risk of fractures.

The study signifies that the introduction of tobacco in Western Europe 500 years ago caused significant changes in the structure of the human skeleton.

Traditionally, scientists use dental evidence to identify whether a person is a smoker or a non-smoker, looking for stains or wear caused by pipe use. However, this method became ineffective after the teeth were missing or didn’t survive.

The findings were made by examining 323 cortical bones, the dense outer layer that gives bones their strength to those who use tobacco and those who don’t use tobacco.

Using mass spectroscopy, the researchers analysed the molecular composition of the bones and found 45 distinct molecular features that were different in the bones of smokers and non-smokers.

Tobacco use creates a distinct pattern in bones that can reveal if someone smoked, even if we don’t know their smoking history, says Science Advance.

Ancient human skeleton remains can provide direct evidence for studying past health issues, including diseases linked to tobacco use.

Dr Sarah Inskip, a co-author of the study said, “Our research reveals a major difference in the molecular composition of the bones of tobacco users and non-users. This finding states that the use of tobacco impacts the structure of the human skeleton.”

The researcher further says that they are trying to find out how these differences emerge. This may help in understanding the link of tobacco to certain musculoskeletal and dental disorders.

Although the harmful effects of smoking on soft tissues and organs like the heightened risks of lung, bladder, and throat cancers, along with stroke and coronary artery disease, are well-established, its effects on bones have received less attention.