How long is nicotine medically traceable in a blood test?

Question

Spouse is having an insurance physical today. They take a blood sample and one of the tests is to see if you smoke. Three days ago, while with some friends they convinved him to smoke 1/2 of a cigar. How long will the nicotine be traceable in his blood?

Answer 1

"Nicotine has a short half-life (2-4 hours) so often it is not detectable after 24 hours. Cotinine, its major metabolite, has a half-life of 16-19 hours so it usually is detectable for 4-7 days, depending upon amount of consumption."



They most likely will detect tobacco use in his blood sample; perhaps he should try explaining the situation beforehand, but I doubt they'll let it pass.

Answer 2

One day urine. Three days blood.