Yes, one hit of a nicotine-containing vape can show up on a nicotine test, especially within 1 to 3 days. Although nicotine itself clears from the body in just a few hours, it rapidly converts to a stable metabolite, cotinine, with a much longer half-life. Even a single vape puff can raise cotinine levels enough to trigger a positive nicotine result, especially on sensitive urine or saliva tests. 

This article examines nicotine vaping and answers the question, “Will one hit of a vape show up on a nicotine test?”

What Do Nicotine Tests Actually Look For?

Nicotine tests look for nicotine and cotinine, the primary metabolite your body produces after vaping nicotine. Cotinine is more stable than nicotine, lasts longer in the system, and provides more reliable proof of nicotine use. 

Some advanced nicotine tests also check for metabolites like 3-hydroxycotinine or anabasine (a marker that helps distinguish tobacco use from nicotine replacement therapy). However, these are rarer. 

Here's how nicotine detection usually varies by test type:

Urine Tests

Urine nicotine tests are the most common screenings because they detect cotinine and nicotine at higher levels than blood or saliva. These tests are highly sensitive to even low intake (like one hit) and usually identify nicotine use within the past 1 to 3+ days. Some research even found detectable levels for several weeks in heavy smokers, However, the window is much shorter for a one-time use. 

Saliva Tests

Saliva tests regularly identify both nicotine and cotinine because they are highly sensitive to recent use. Cotinine can remain in saliva for 1 to 4 days, depending on the amount you inhale. However, levels may drop below detection much sooner after a single hit. In most cases, saliva nicotine tests should only detect cotinine from one puff for 1 to 2 days.

Blood Tests

Blood tests for nicotine are uncommon because they are less sensitive than saliva and urine screenings. Cotinine can physically remain in the bloodstream for several days. However, it is not detectable for that long after a small exposure, like one vape hit. A single puff may briefly raise cotinine levels, but often not high enough to stay above typical test thresholds. In most cases, cotinine from one hit falls below detection after about 24 hours.

Hair Tests

Routine nicotine testing using hair samples is rare but highly accurate in detecting long-term, chronic tobacco use. It can reliably discover nicotine levels from vape exposure over the past 1 to 3 months and may identify levels for up to a year. One-time nicotine use can leave traces in hair. However, a hair test may not detect nicotine after just one vape hit if conducted within a week, because hair grows slowly and wouldn’t yet contain the exposure. If you took a single puff, the corresponding hair segment likely wouldn’t emerge above the scalp for several days to weeks. Even then, the amount might fall below lab detection thresholds.

How Much Nicotine Is in One Hit of a Vape?

The amount of nicotine in one vape hit depends on the device, the nicotine strength of the e-liquid, and how deeply you inhale. Some sources say that high-strength devices like 5% nicotine salt vapes contain about 0.2 mg of nicotine in a single hit. Other sources estimate that one hit from a 5% vape delivers anywhere from 0.25 to 0.50 mg of nicotine. The body absorbs about half the amount you inhale. 

For lower-strength e-liquids, like 3 to 12 mg/mL freebase nicotine, the per-puff dose may drop to about 0.03 to 0.12 mg.

So, Will One Puff Show Up on a Nicotine Test?

Cotinine’s half-life (15 to 40 hours) means even one hit of a vape may leave some trace nicotine levels for more than a day. One clinical reference notes that any cotinine above ~10 ng/mL indicates active use, and a single cigarette can push cotinine into the hundreds of ng/mL. While a single vape puff is less, it’s still enough to show up on a drug test. 

Labs that perform nicotine testing (for insurance, pre-surgical screening, court-ordered testing, etc.) confirm this reality. One recovery center explicitly warns that “yes, even one hit of a vape can result in detectable levels of nicotine.”

Urine and saliva tests, in particular, are very likely to catch one-hit vape usage within 1 to 4 days. Blood and hair tests might miss a minimal exposure, but it’s still a risk. 

If you face a nicotine test within a few days of vaping even once, you should assume that you could test positive.

What Else Affects the Results?

Several factors impact nicotine test results besides how many vape hits you take, including how recently you vaped, how often you vape, your metabolism, and secondhand exposure. Menthol content, vape device, and nicotine type also play a role. 

• How recently you vaped: Nicotine and cotinine levels drop quickly from urine and saliva after use. If you vaped just before the test, your levels will be higher than if you last vaped four days ago.
• How often you vape: Regular use builds up nicotine and cotinine in your system. Frequent single-hit vape sessions could extend the urine and saliva detection window up to 7 to 10 days or more. 
• Your metabolism: People with faster metabolism (especially those with more active CYP2A6 enzymes) break down nicotine faster, which can shorten detection time.
• Menthol content: Menthol appears to slow nicotine metabolism in the body. That means menthol-flavored vapes may cause your cotinine levels to stay elevated longer.
• Secondhand exposure: Significant secondhand nicotine exposure can produce roughly 11–30 ng/mL cotinine, enough to trigger a positive result. So theoretically, you can test positive without taking a single puff.
• Type of device and nicotine strength: High-output vape devices and stronger e-liquids deliver more nicotine per puff, increasing testable levels.
• Type of nicotine (salt vs. freebase): Nicotine salts absorb more efficiently than freebase nicotine, so they may spike short-term blood levels more significantly.

How to Reduce the Chances of Nicotine Detection?

Stopping all nicotine use right away gives you the best chance of passing a drug test. However, you can also reduce the chances of detection with a few detoxification strategies. 

First, drink plenty of water to help your kidneys flush toxins like nicotine and cotinine from your system. Staying hydrated supports natural detox pathways and may reduce detection time, especially in urine tests. 

Exercise also plays a role by boosting metabolism and circulation. Physical activity helps your body break down and eliminate cotinine more efficiently.

Eating antioxidant-rich foods, like berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables, may support liver function and overall detoxification.

Final Thoughts: Will One Hit of a Vape Show Up on a Nicotine Test?

If you only took one puff of a vape and you don’t use nicotine regularly, your chances of passing a routine nicotine test improve significantly with time. Cotinine, the primary marker that nicotine tests identify, usually clears from saliva and urine within 1 to 3 days after a single exposure. In blood, levels often drop below detection within 24 hours. 

To reduce your risk of testing positive, stop all nicotine use as soon as possible. Stay hydrated, exercise, and eat antioxidant-rich foods to support detoxification. If you're not a heavy or frequent vaper, wait a full week before testing to give your body plenty of time to eliminate cotinine. That buffer period offers the best protection against detection if you're facing a standard urine or saliva test.