In a case-control study, the potential etiological role of weight and smoking in symptomatic osteochondrosis or spondylosis of the lumbar spine and lumbar disc herniation (without concomitant osteochondrosis or spondylosis) was examined. Methods: The patients (n=229 persons with chondrosis/spondylosis; n= 94 persons with lumbar disc herniation without concomitant chondrosis/spondylosis) and symptom-free control subjects (n=195) were questioned in a structured personal interview about their occupational history, previous diseases and lifestyle factors (smoking, weight). Odds ratios were adjusted for age, region, nationality, physical workload and other diseases affecting the lumbar spine. Results: In accordance with the literature we found only slight evidence of a potential relationship between body weight and structural lumbar spine disease. Our study does not reveal an association between smoking and lumbar spine disease. Conclusions: Larger studies are needed to further clarify the interaction of lifestyle factors and physical workload in the etiology of diseases of the lower back.