Children Born to Fathers Who Smoked During Puberty May Experience Accelerated Aging

Recent research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam highlights a potential intergenerational health concern: men who begin smoking during puberty may pass on biological aging acceleration to their children. The study, led by Dr. Juan Pablo López-Cervantes from the University of Bergen, examined how paternal smoking timing influences the aging process in offspring.

The investigation involved 892 individuals aged between 7 and 50 years, whose blood samples were analyzed to assess epigenetic markers—molecular modifications on DNA that indicate biological age. The findings reveal that those whose fathers started smoking at age 15 or younger tend to show signs of faster biological aging, roughly nine months to a year older than their chronological age. When factoring in whether the individuals themselves had smoked, the age difference extended up to 14-15 months.

This accelerated aging is linked to epigenetic changes, which involve the accumulation of molecular markers on DNA that do not alter the genetic code but influence gene activity. Such changes are associated with increased risks for age-related diseases like cancer, dementia, and arthritis. The researchers suggest that smoking during puberty could cause damage to sperm cells, leading to epigenetic alterations that are inherited by the next generation.

Interestingly, the study found little to no impact on biological aging in children whose mothers smoked before pregnancy or in cases where fathers began smoking later in life. The link appears strongest when fathers initiate smoking early in puberty, possibly because of epigenetic damage caused during a critical developmental window.

The findings underscore the importance of preventing tobacco use during adolescence. Dr. López-Cervantes emphasizes that early smoking may not only harm the individual but also have long-term consequences for their children. The study advocates for stronger anti-smoking policies targeting teenagers to safeguard future generations from epigenetic damage induced by tobacco.

These insights add to the growing body of evidence that the effects of smoking extend beyond individual health, influencing DNA and aging processes across generations. Health educators and policymakers are urged to intensify efforts in tobacco prevention among youth to mitigate these long-lasting effects.