By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We are all well aware there are numerous health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. The two most serious effects are lung disease and cardiac problems, but there are many others.

One of the most interesting, from a research standpoint, and from a practical one is the fact that people who smoke are more likely than those who don’t to have a workplace injury that results in a loss of activity.

There are many reasons, but the biggest appears to be that smoking leads to weaker bones lending to more potential fractures. The theory is smoking is associated with poor sleep and we know sleep deficiencies are related to injuries.

I am not certain it is as important to know why, but the fact that this does happen. Certainly it is something that physicians need to share with their patients