Can Breathalyzers Detect Nicotine?

Do breathalyzers detect nicotine from cigarettes? Many people are curious whether the nicotine from smoking cigarettes can affect the accuracy of breathalyzer tests, particularly during routine traffic stops and drug screening tests. In this article, we'll explore the potential influence of nicotine on breathalyzer accuracy and how it could lead to inaccurate readings.

The Impact of Smoking Nicotine on Breathalyzer Results

During breathalyzer testing, the accuracy of results is paramount, especially in situations where legal consequences or employment decisions are at stake. However, smoking nicotine can introduce variables that may compromise the reliability of breathalyzer readings. One significant aspect is how smoking cigarettes affects stomach emptying, which can influence the body's absorption of alcohol.

Cigarette smoking can alter the rate of stomach emptying, slowing down the absorption of alcohol in the body. This change in alcohol absorption rate could lead to a falsely low blood alcohol content (BAC) reading when individuals are tested shortly after smoking. Essentially, the delayed absorption of alcohol due to smoking nicotine may result in breathalyzer readings that underestimate the actual level of alcohol in the bloodstream.

How Results Vary with Different Forms of Nicotine

Certain methods of nicotine consumption are more prone to causing false positives on breathalyzer tests. Specifically, vaping stands out as a common culprit, often containing ethanol (an alcoholic compound) as an undisclosed ingredient. A recent 2022 study undertaken at Virginia Commonwealth University aimed to validate this assertion.

The study revealed that individuals vaping e-liquids with a 20% ethanol concentration, who were immediately tested with a breathalyzer within a minute post-vaping, showed detectable ethanol levels. However, waiting 15 to 20 minutes post-vaping, as per standard traffic stop procedures, resulted in undetectable ethanol levels.

In contrast to vaping, traditional cigarette smoking has not been linked to false positives on breathalyzer tests.

The Effect of the Chemical Acetaldehyde

Another factor to consider is the presence of acetaldehyde, a chemical compound that is detected and measured during breathalyzer testing. Breathalyzer devices are designed to identify acetaldehyde, a chemical byproduct of alcohol metabolism. However, acetaldehyde is also found in the lungs, and its concentration can vary among individuals.

Studies have shown that smokers tend to have higher concentrations of the chemical compound acetaldehyde in their lungs compared to non-smokers. This elevated level of acetaldehyde can falsely lead to higher breathalyzer readings. Consequently, individuals who smoke may experience inaccurate breathalyzer results, with readings that suggest greater levels of alcohol consumption than actually present.

Minimizing False Positive Risks

While traditional cigarette smoking is generally not associated with failing a breathalyzer test, the same assurance cannot be extended to e-cigarettes. Research indicates that the presence of ethanol in e-cigarettes can indeed trigger a false positive if tested immediately after vaping. Therefore, if someone is a regular vaper, it's necessary to adhere to the recommended waiting period of 15 to 20 minutes. This allows sufficient time for the alcohol to metabolize from the oral cavity before the test is administered, minimizing the risk of a false positive result.

If your company is looking to maintain sobriety in your workforce, partnering with CWI Medical can provide a reliable solution. As a dependable provider of breathalyzers and drug screening tests, we can help you ensure workplace safety, compliance, and productivity.