Dr. Hooman Melamed explains how detrimental smoking is to the spine, especially in individuals who have a history of back and joint problems. The act of smoking is extremely damaging not only to the spine but also to every joint in the body. Just one cigarette can lead to adverse effects on musculoskeletal health. Smoking causes the spine and joints to deteriorate much faster. It kills blood supply to the discs and significantly increases wear and tear. In addition, the toxicity from smoking easily builds up in the body, reducing your ability to heal. This is crucial before, during, and after any type of surgery. Smoking increases the rate of infection and osteoporosis and slows down the rate of healing and recovery.