Apparently among all women, approximately one hip fracture in eight can be put down to smoking, and that is regardless of body weight, early menopause and physical activity. Anbd that is not because people tripped up while they were lighting up!

A study looking at postmenopausal bone loss found that this was greater in current smokers than in non-smokers. It concluded that smoking had a direct action on bone mineral density, decreasing it by an additional 2 per cent for every 10-year increase in age.

Compared to those who did not smoke, the risk of hip fracture was 17 per cent greater at age 60; 41 per cent greater at 70; 71 per cent at age 80; and 108 per cent greater by age 90 according to the study reported in the British Medical Journal in 1997.

Although this particular study concentrated on women, the authors noted that analysis of studies relating to men did suggest a similar decrease in bone density for them related to whether or not they smoked.

Another very good reason to give up I'd say!