Some properties of saliva cotinine measurements in indicating exposure to tobacco smoking.

The studies reported herein were designed to investigate some properties of saliva cotinine measurements in indicating exposure to tobacco smoke. Such measurements were found to be minimally affected by saliva flow rate or time since smoking as well as being sensitive to a low level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Results supported the view that the saliva cotinine assay is the most useful currently available method for objectively measuring exposure to tobacco smoke.