How Long Does Tobacco Stay in a Human's System?

Tobacco comes from the plant called Nicotinia tabacum and nicotine, which is in tobacco and is highly addictive. In fact, it's the nicotine that is found within your system and is the stimulant in tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and chew. The amount of absorption of nicotine in your body depends on whether you use a filter and whether you inhale or chew the tobacco. Chewing tobacco absorbs more nicotine than smoking it.

Time

• How long nicotine stays in your system depends on how long you have been smoking and how many cigarettes you smoke per day. For occasional smokers, it stays in their body for two to four days, but with heavy smokers, it can last up to a few months. Also, for people exposed to secondhand smoke -- tobacco smoke that smokers exhale and that passersby inhale -- nicotine can stay in their body for 15 to 20 days.

Tests

• Tests to find out whether nicotine or other substances are in the body can be done through a urine, blood or hair test. Urine testing is very common and can detect nicotine in the body for up to 20 days, but blood tests can detect the slightest traces of nicotine in the bloodstream for a longer period of time. A hair follicle test can detect traces of nicotine up to 90 days and is very accurate; it's also expensive, so it's used less often.

Clearing the System

• To cleanse your system of tobacco and nicotine products, drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day. This helps to flush it out and speeds up the detoxification process. Fruits containing vitamin C also help to clear your system by metabolizing the substances, and physical exercise and perspiration will also help to flush your system.

Warnings

• Tobacco products are highly dangerous due to the nicotine and its addictive properties. Emphysema, cancer and heart disease are just a few of the illnesses that can develop as a direct result from using tobacco products. Other problems that can develop are gum disease, tooth loss and mouth ulcers. Nicotine is considered one of the hardest addictions to overcome.