How Long Does Nicotine Take To Leave The System?

Posted on Fri, 12 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 Answered on

Thu, 2 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Sorry I clicked submit by mistake previously.

I had been a 1/2 pack a day smoker for about 10-11 years.

I quit smoking for 2 weeks about 10 days ago after which I started smoking again while I was going through an emotional setback lately. I quit again today.

I have a urine cotinine test as a pre-employment screening conducted by XXXXXXX Clinic in 12 days. I am 29, have a BMI of 22 and try to eat healthy. What are my chances of passing if I stay quit and what are the do's and dont's in the next 12 days to increase my chances of passing?

Also, I have bought the test kits available on XXXXXXX but they have a cut-off of 200ng/ml. What is the cut-off for XXXXXXX Clinic? Any way to know?

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hopefully in 4-5 days

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank You for contacting HCM. My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. If you smoke plain cigarette then it will leave from your body in 4-5 days. You just need to keep good healthy diet including fresh fruits & vegetables. Along with it, take adequate fluids specially water. It helps in clearing the smoke metabolites from the body and also prevents a number of diseases including UTI.
It is difficult to tell about the cut-off value because only the concerned authorities knows the protocols. But hopefully you will clear if you follow these advises and avoid smoke.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar