If you're a concerned parent or a teen thinking long-term, let’s break it down in this article to learn how smoking can directly and passively affect growth at every stage of life. Key Takeaways Smoking can possibly stunt growth, which often happens when you are in your growing years. Secondhand smoke also impacts children’s height and overall growth. Smoking during pregnancy leads to low birth weight and slower fetal development. Teens who smoke cigarettes may end up with shorter statures due to reduced bone and lung development. In adults, smoking doesn’t reduce height yet still harms muscle growth and hormone balance. Quitting smoking early helps teens reach full height potential and improves overall health. Does Smoking Stunt Your Growth? The short answer is yes, especially during the critical years of adolescence. One notable study by the University of Montreal, funded by the Canadian Cancer Society, tracked 1,293 teens over five years and found that boys who smoked at least 10 tobaccos a day between ages 12 and 17 were, on average, about an inch shorter than their non-smoking peers. But the same height decline wasn’t seen in girls. Researchers suggest this may be because boys typically hit puberty later, so smoking during those key growth years has a more direct impact [1]. How Does Smoking Stop Height Growth? A study published in 2008 declared that smoking cigarettes adversely influences endochondral ossification during skeletal development. It’s believed that nicotine is one of the major chemical substances responsible for this stunted growth. However, other substances found in tobacco may also contribute to delayed development in the young smokers and heavy ones. Also, nicotine reduces and hinders growth by restraining a smoker’s appetite [2]. How? By switching on a pathway in the brain that restricts appetite, smoking can stop you from receiving the nutrients you need, affecting skeletal growth and muscle formation adversely. Watch this video to learn more about how chemical substances in each cigarette can affect your body. Can Passive Smoking Stunt Height Growth? Passive smoking can also affect height and development, especially in children. Multiple studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and early childhood is linked to poor growth outcomes. A 2020 review found that children exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy or early childhood were more likely to experience poor growth outcomes. This review focused on kids aged 8 or younger and highlighted how early exposure, especially in the prenatal period, can interfere with healthy development [3]. Another research from 2022 showed that kids between 6 and 8 years old exposed to secondhand smoke were lower in height than their peers who were not exposed to passive smoke [4]. Clearly, even secondhand smoke can interfere with a child’s natural development. If you’re a smoking parent, it may be time to rethink the habit, not just for your own health, but to give your child the best chance to grow tall, strong, and healthy throughout every stage of life. How Smoking Affects Health and Growth at Different Life Stages? For Babies According to health experts worldwide, expectant mothers should completely avoid smoking as it significantly increases the risk of birth defects like cleft lip and palate, heart abnormalities, low birth weight, and even death. One of the primary dangers comes from carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke, which reduces oxygen flow by constricting blood vessels in the placenta. This leads to slower fetal development and a smaller head size at birth, which are clear signs of growth restriction even before the baby is born. A study of nearly 13,000 infants in Italy found that maternal smoking during pregnancy reduced birth weight by up to 247g. However, most babies caught up in weight by six months, indicating the effect may be temporary if no other risk factors are present. For Children As mentioned above, exposure to secondhand smoke can negatively impact a child’s physical development. Children regularly exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections, asthma attacks, and reduced lung function. According to a study from NIH, children whose parents smoked 10+ cigarettes a day were, on average, 0.65 cm shorter than those of non-smokers, while children exposed to lower levels of smoke were about 0.45 cm shorter [5]. Although the height difference was small, it demonstrates how secondhand smoke can hinder healthy growth and development. For Teenagers Statistics say 15.3 years old is the average age for people to try their first cigarette in the United States. Meanwhile, the average age across European countries was between 15 and 16 [6]. Studies have shown that smoking during these years can significantly impair lung development. A large U.S. study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that teens who smoked experienced slower lung function growth, with girls showing over 1% reduced annual forced vital capacity (FEV) gains compared to non-smokers [7]. Another study of Thai adolescents aged 15–18 found that even short-term smoking led to decreased lung capacity and weakened respiratory muscle strength. These findings highlight how smoking in the teen years can cause lasting damage to lung health, even with relatively low cigarette exposure [8]. In boys, smoking has also been linked to delayed testosterone production, which slows puberty, reduces muscle-building capacity, and may increase the risk of infertility and testicular cancer. For Adults Although adults no longer grow taller, smoking still interferes with important aspects of physical development, especially muscle and reproductive health. Nicotine further increases myostatin production, a protein that naturally inhibits muscle growth, making it more difficult for adult smokers to build or maintain muscle mass compared to non-smokers. Smoking has also been linked to reduced testicle size in men who smoke heavily (20+ cigarettes per day). This is due to the impact of nicotine on hormone regulation, which disrupts sperm production [9]. Can Quitting Smoking Help You Grow Taller? Smoking during adolescence has been shown to stunt lung development, reduce oxygen intake, and interfere with hormone production like testosterone, all of which are crucial for healthy body growth. Even passive smoking during childhood can cause slight reductions in height and slower development. So, quitting smoking may prevent further damage (mentioned above) and help your body reach its maximum growth potential. How To Quit Smoking? Quitting smoking is challenging, but there are methods that can help, whether you're an adult or a teenager. For adults, smoking cessation often includes nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, or lozenges to ease withdrawal symptoms. Prescription medications may also be used to reduce cravings and manage withdrawal side effects, making it easier to break the habit. For teenagers, the approach is slightly different. The FDA has not approved medications for smoking cessation in children and teens, so support typically focuses on behavioral counseling. This can include one-on-one or group therapy sessions, either in person or online, as well as peer support programs. One such smoking prevention program is the Not on Tobacco (N-O-T) initiative from the American Lung Association, which offers education and resources tailored specifically for teens trying to quit. Young people can also turn to school counselors or healthcare professionals to find local programs and support. Regardless of age, the key to quitting is having a personalized plan, ongoing support, and the motivation to stick with it. Final Words, Whether you're young or old, the takeaway is clear. Smoking affects more than just your lungs. It can slow down your body’s ability to grow, heal, and thrive. If you're considering smoking, think twice. Your future health and your full potential are worth protecting. 📌 Don’t forget to add the best vitamins for growth to rebuild and strengthen your body. FAQs Does smoking affect your height? Smoking can affect your height by hindering your bone growth, decreasing nutrient intake, and reducing lung function, all of which contribute to overall development. Does smoking at 16 stunt growth? Smoking at 16 can potentially stunt growth, especially height growth in boys. The chemical substances in cigarettes, particularly nicotine, may prevent the normal growth of bones and lungs, resulting in delayed development. What can stunt your growth? Some factors can stunt your growth, including malnutrition, low immunity, chronic illnesses and stress, and prenatal factors. Besides, genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and even lifestyle habits like poor sleep, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, and poor posture may affect height growth. References [1] University of Montreal. "New Research Dispels Myth That Cigarettes Make Teenage Girls Thinner, But Smoking May Stunt Growth Of Teenage Boys." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 April 2008. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080331135155.htm. [2] Jon H. (June 9, 2011). The Skinny On Smoking: Why Nicotine Curbs Appetite. https://www.npr.org/2011/06/09/137085989/the-skinny-on-smoking-why-nicotine-curbs-appetite [3] Nadhiroh SR, Djokosujono K, Utari D M. The association between secondhand smoke exposure and growth outcomes of children: A systematic literature review. Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2020;18(March):12. doi:10.18332/tid/117958. https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/The-association-between-secondhand-smoke-exposure-and-ngrowth-outcomes-of-children,117958,0,2.html [4] Suzhen Cao, Muxing Xie, Chunrong Jia, Yawei Zhang, Jicheng Gong, Beibei Wang, Ning Qin, Liyun Zhao, Dongmei Yu, Xiaoli Duan, Household second-hand smoke exposure and stunted growth among Chinese school-age children, Environmental Technology & Innovation, Volume 27, 2022, 102521, ISSN 2352-1864, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102521. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352186422001286. [5] Berkey CS, Ware JH, Speizer FE, Ferris BG Jr. Passive smoking and height growth of preadolescent children. Int J Epidemiol. 1984 Dec;13(4):454-8. doi: 10.1093/ije/13.4.454. PMID: 6519884. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6519884/ [6] Jacqueline H. (August 22, 2018). At what age do kids start smoking cigarettes? CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/22/health/cigarette-smoking-teens-parent-curve-intl. [7] Gold, D. R., Wang, X., Wypij, D., Speizer, F. E., Ware, J. H., & Dockery, D. W. (1996). Effects of cigarette smoking on lung function in adolescent boys and girls. New England Journal of Medicine, 335(13), 931-937. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199609263351304 [8] Harun, Harun & Kusumawati, Diah & Akbar, Muhammad. (2024). Comparison of Lung Capacity of Smokers and Non-smokers in University Sports Students. Jurnal Sains Keolahragaan dan Kesehatan. 9. 251-260. 10.5614/jskk.2024.9.2.9. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387825493_Comparison_of_Lung_Capacity_of_Smokers_and_Non-smokers_in_University_Sports_Students [9] Rai, T., & Rai, G. S. (2016). Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are enemy of male fertility? A patho-radiological correlation study. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 4(3), 847–854. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20160530 Related posts Foods that Make You Taller Average Height Teenager How to Get Taller as a Teenager Height Growth Supplement and Vitamins
