We have developed a point-of-care test for cotinine and the other nicotine breakdown called SmokeScreen. Details of the early development were first published in 1996 (Clin Chim Acta)

		Measurement of nicotine metabolites is significantly more reliable in determining smoking habit than self reported cigarette consumption and is more specific and longer lasting than carbon monoxide monitoring.
		SmokeScreen is a 6-minute colorimetric test which detects nicotine and all its breakdown products, with a positive sample turning a pink/orange colour. The test can be used in three ways: observing a colour change will tell whether the sample is from a smoker or not.
		A colour chart for a semi-quantitative assessment of nicotine intake can be used, or a dedicated colorimeter will quantify nicotine metabolite concentration against a cotinine standard.
		A colorimeter will mix the sample, time the assay and display the result – Cotinine Equivalent Concentration against a built-in cotinine standard curve (0-20 mg/ml). The type of smoker will also be displayed: non-smoker; passive smoker; passive smoker; light; medium; heavy and v.heavy.

The quantitative test results are comparable to independent laboratory measurements of cotinine.

SmokeScreen is a simple-to-use, inexpensive disposable test which can assess baseline smoking and monitor adherence to anti-smoking advice.

The test can be used in clinics and doctor's surgeries to provide feedback to patients for them to assess their level of smoking and how well they are cutting down or clearing nicotine from their system.

Alternatively, it can provide feedback - analogous to bathroom scales when monitoring loss of bodyweight.