Smoking increases risk of osteoporosis

(ABC) -- You think of smoking and cancer, but young women who smoke are at risk for another disease.

A new study out Tuesday finds that girls who smoke have decreased bone density, which could lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life.

The teenage years are crucial in a woman’s bone formation because a girl gains as much bone in the first two years surrounding her first menstrual cycle as she loses in her last 40 years as an adult.

Women start with lower bone density than men and they lose bone mass more quickly as they age.

The authors say teens shouldn’t give the process a head start by smoking.