[Cotinine--the biomarker of exposure to tobacco smoke].

Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke is conducive to increased morbidity rate of respiratory, alimentary and circulatory diseases. The biochemical and immunochemical studies permitted to assess the basic pathways of nicotine change in mammal organisms. The measurement of cotinine in the system fluids is a specific marker of the intensiveness of smoking, of the exposure connected with active and passive smoking and it can also be of use in nicotine therapy monitoring during the cessation of smoking.