Saliva Test Shows Who Has Smoked a Cigarette in the Last Three Days

A new test can detect who among the smokers being tested are lying about their use of cigarettes by detecting whether or not they have smoked in the last three days.

The Saliva SmokeScreen test requires people to spit into a cup so their saliva can be tested for a breakdown in nicotine, called cotinine. This test could be used by doctors in attempt of helping their patients give up the bad habit, as well as by health insurance companies working out their premiums. Researchers at the University of Birmingham were the ones responsible for creating this newest smoke detection test.

However, Saliva SmokeScreen test cannot establish how many cigarettes a person has smoked and what kinds of cigarettes in particular they used. However, it can accurately detect whether or not consumed nicotine in the last three days. As a result, the test will be positive if a person is using nicotine replacement products even if they have completely stopped smoking. Within one minute, the test gives either a positive or negative result. However, in order to see a person's actual nicotine consumption, doctors should wait for approximately six minutes.

Depending on the extent of nicotine content, the color of the solution used in the test changes and differs. Dr. Graham Cope, honorary senior research fellow at the University of Birmingham said: "Smoking is an important risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also causes blood pressure to rise and is linked with high cholesterol levels." As of late, the recent test is already being used as part of the PruHealth free Vitality Heathcheck program to verify non-smoking in their policy holders, so they can qualify for the right incentives.