cotinine
/ˈkoʊtəˌnin/
noun
- A chemical substance produced when the body breaks down nicotine, often measured to test for tobacco use.
- Doctors can measure cotinine levels in a person's blood to see if they smoke.
- Cotinine stays in the body longer than nicotine, making it a reliable marker for tobacco exposure.
- The study tested children's saliva for cotinine to check their exposure to secondhand smoke.