Karen smith,

Thanks for your question. 

Nicotine doesn't stay in your system very long.  Doctors like to use something called a half life to describe how long drugs and toxins remain in our systems before they are eliminated.  In the case of nicotine, the half life is one hour.  This means that it takes one hour for half of the nicotine to be broken down and eliminated.  In another hour, half of the remaining nicotine will be eliminated, leaving 25 % of the original amount left in the system.  Another hour later, will find 12.5% and so on.  In 6 - 8 hours the amount left is almost negligible.

Breakdown of nicotine occurs in the liver and lungs and the breakdown products are passed out of the body through the urine. 

Please review our website for more information about nicotine, its addictive action and ways to kick the habit.

Martin Cane, M.D.

feradg

2/23/10 2:37am

Hey, 

I read your article and am just wondering if I can ask you a question. I just quit smoking not too long ago, today is day 6, and I the way I quit was random and not expected.  In short terms, I decided it was too cold to drive 6 miles to the nearest open store at 3 am for a pack of smoke so I swore to quit that night. My problem is that I keep getting a tingly feeling in my arms and teeth. If today is day six for me and I have no nicotine in me than why am I still going through withdrawl? Should I see a doctor or something?