Smoking seriously damaged a man's liberty.
Craig Stephens burgled a home in Avonmouth and left two cigarette butts at the scene.
A forensic examination of one of them revealed his full DNA profile and led police to his door.
Stephens, 34, of Beverston Gardens, Bristol, pleaded guilty to burglary between September 29 and October 2.
Bristol Crown Court heard convictions for two previous burglaries qualified him for a minimum jail term of three years, and at the time of the offence he was subject to a community order.
Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for 876 days, which included a 20 per cent discount for plea.
He told Stephens: "The minimum sentence term applies.
"You are sober and wish to turn over a new leaf.
"There is no doubt the offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified."
Kenneth Bell, prosecuting, said Stephens made an untidy search of the home in Marsh Street, when the family was out, and stole £3,500 worth of possessions including electrical items and jewellery of a sentimental value.
Mr Bell said a crime scene investigator spotted a cigarette butt on a bed and another in the lounge.
The butt in the lounge was found to have Stephens' DNA on it.
Alun Williams, defending, said his client was a father-of-three who had relapsed into drug addiction at the time of the offence.
But he told the court remorseful Stephens desired rehabilitation and was currently drug-free.
Mr Williams said: "He tells me this is his first sentence in which he has presented free of drugs."
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