For a long time, orthopaedic surgeons have suspected an influence of smoking on several musculoskeletal diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the influence of smoking on low back pain (LBP) and the outcome of spinal surgery. LBP is a highly prevalent disease and plays an important economic role, as it is associated with high direct and indirect health-care costs. In order to be successful in prevention, risk factors for LBP must be identified.