Skin surface sampling for nicotine: a rapid, noninvasive method for identifying smokers

We evaluated a novel, rapid, noninvasive method of skin surface air sampling that detects the presence of nicotine and therefore can identify smokers. The principle of the methodology involved is skin surface air sampling and ion-mobility spectrometry. We studied 93 volunteers and patients; 50 of these gave a positive history for smoking. Skin surface sampling identified 49 of these 50 individuals. Fifty of the 93 individuals provided urine samples. Nicotine was detected in 22 of these urine samples by thin-layer chromatography. Skin surface sampling identified all of these patients. The combination of skin surface air sampling and ion-mobility spectrometry is a rapid, noninvasive screening method for separating smokers from nonsmokers.