The quantification of cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, in bodily fluids such as urine, blood, saliva, or hair provides a spectrum of values. This spectrum reflects varying levels of nicotine exposure, influenced by factors including active smoking, passive inhalation, or the use of nicotine replacement therapies. For instance, a non-smoker would typically exhibit levels near zero, whereas a heavy smoker would demonstrate significantly elevated concentrations.
Understanding the breadth of these measurements is crucial for several reasons. In clinical settings, it aids in the diagnosis of smoking-related health conditions and in monitoring patient adherence to smoking cessation programs. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in research studies investigating the effects of tobacco use and in legal contexts where verification of tobacco use or abstinence is required. Its application dates back to the development of sensitive and specific analytical techniques capable of detecting trace amounts of cotinine in biological samples.
