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BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate the methylation pattern in the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) gene in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis. METHODS Methylation-specific PCR was performed to determine the methylation status of the SOCS1 promoter in 45 saliva samples from smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis. RESULTS Cells from the saliva of chronic periodontitis patients who smoked were 7.08 times more likely to have a methylated SOCS1 promoter than cells from the saliva of non-smoking patients. CONCLUSIONS SOCS1 gene promoter methylation, with its potential effects on the expression of this gene, seems to be a consequence of exposure to tobacco and not to periodontal disease. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between the epigenetic control of immune response gene expression, exposure to environmental factors, and the development, progression, and prognosis of chronic periodontitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.