Posted by Dave on 6/22/2009, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Re: just a question need and answere to it"
68.11.149.9
Not to make anyone paranoid, but accuracy of information is important here--and it's not accurate to say that smoking 3-4 a day is "within the margin of error".
When someone is an active (as opposed to passive) smoker, the levels of specific chemicals in their body will be significantly different than those of a non-exposed nonsmoker, or those of a passively-exposed nonsmoker. The reason for this is similar to the reason you hear so many folks argue that "secondhand smoke" is a comparative non-issue: In truth, even very light smokers are exposed to MUCH higher concentrations of the components of cigarette smoke than a passive smoker breathing for long periods of time in an extremely smoke-filled environment (like a crowded bar with poor ventilation or a car with one or two other people who are smoking with the windows rolled up).
Again, the difference in chemical exposure is VERY significant: The most sophisticated testing procedures will not just identify someone as a nonsmoker or smoker, but will differentiate between non-exposed nonsmokers, passively-exposed nonsmokers, smokers who have abstained for two weeks (and in some cases slightly longer), and current smokers. Some testing procedures (usually the ones based on urine samples) can even tell the difference between someone who smokes and someone who uses nicotine replacement therapy.
All of this is able to be achieved because tobacco-use tests don't actually check nicotine levels; they check the levels of various metabolites of nicotine that stick around much longer than nicotine does, and they also test for other markers in tandem with nicotine metabolites. For example, urine tests will almost always test for metabolites of a compound called nornicotine--a weaker relative of nicotine that is not contained in any amount in any nicotine replacement therapy product. You can be chewing up a storm on Nicorette, and swear up and down that you haven't smoked--but if you actually have smoked at any time in the last couple of weeks, your nornicotine metabolite levels will give you away. Measurable levels will also be present in someone who passively inhaled smoke, but they will be much, much, much lower. Not ALL tests are as sophisticated as the ones described here, but many, if not most, are--so you are taking a big chance if you ignore the possibility.
Blood and urine tests aren't the only way to test someone for current smoking status. One faster and less intrusive (but much more limited) test method was developed by a cardiologist to find patients who were lying about current smoking status. It checks levels of carbon monoxide in the blood--enough to trip up a lot of less-than-honest smokers, but not nearly as conclusive as the other methods that test cigarette smoke components that nonsmokers are much less likely to be exposed to in significant amounts. The testing device looks like one of those little fingertip pulse/blood pressure monitors you see in some pharmacies. It uses a red LED to illuminate the tip of your finger and takes a couple of seconds to return a measure of blood CO levels based on the amount of carboxyhemoglobin (the combination of hemoglobin and CO). Carboxyhemoglobin levels of 4% and above imply that the person is either a current smoker, or that they have been exposed to CO by some other means at some point in the last few hours.
Finally: A possible excuse for your tobacco-use test results, albeit one that will be useless for most. **To my knowledge** (I'm well-read on this stuff, but no expert) common nicotine-and-metabolite tests do not differentiate between users of various high-nicotine tobacco products. So if you know FOR SURE that CO tests and the like aren't being performed, and if it's available in your area of the world, and if it would somehow be to your benefit to be classified as a tobacco user but NOT a cigarette smoker, you might consider claiming to use Swedish snus, American smokeless tobacco, or other high-nicotine oral tobacco products (looseleaf chewing tobacco and nasal snuff and not high nicotine and therefore wouldn't work anyway). Personally, I'd just admit that I smoke if it came down to all that--especially since it's certainly possible that there are commercially-available tests for compounds that are present in the blood and urine of smokers, but not in users of other forms of tobacco.
Sorry for the length of this, but I thought it was important. If you are a closet smoker, tobacco-use tests are not your friend, and you will probably NOT be able to get away with lying about your tobacco use unless you have abstained for several weeks. Even claiming that you use Nicorette or a nicotine patch probably won't work. I know this is bad news for some folks, but it's better to know the truth of what you are up against than to be unexpectedly outed as a smoker (and a liar) to your boss, insurance company, and/or significant other.
Dave
--Previous Message--
: It will not make a difference with 3-4 a day
: (with in the margin of error). That is the
: amount in passive smoke such as if you ride
: to work with a smoker in the car, or sitting
: out on the smoking patio.
:
: --Previous Message--
: okay I have been a closet smoker for 2
: years,
: give or take. I only have 3 or 4 a day. Now
: my husband informs me that he would like us
: to have blood work done to see if it will
: lower our health insurance payments. What do
: i do know ??
: I am hoping someone has the answere for me.
: Thank you for your time.
:
:
:
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