only vaping but tested positive for anabasine

[scostakis]

I've been vaping 24mg eliquid for about 4 yrs now and just recently had to get tested for nicotine at work for insurance purposes. When it tested positive (duh), they sent it out for further testing. The additional testing supposedly came back positive for anabasine. Since this evidently indicates that I'm a cigarette smoker, which I'm not, I'm going to have to pay back my company about $1200 in insurance premiums because I told them that I'm not a smoker and haven't used any tobacco products.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what, if anything, I can do about this, I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks

 

[Spazmelda]

I'm sorry to hear about this. What concentration of anabasine did they find? Were you using WTA liquids at all?

 

[pianman6954]

There's a lot of questions to be had here but if we are to assume the worst here... If it is an at will employment situation than unfortunately your hands are likely tied, at will employment allows an employer a scary level of freedom on much of your work and personal life. It gives the employer essentially the right to under nearly all circumstances to end your employment, that being said insurance companies have even more leeway, they can and will find the best way to make a profit and protect it. Your likely not going to get a positive outcome short of taking the company to court and that could possibly put your employment at risk. It would be up to you to read the fine print of your policy as well as the policy of your employer. Mine simply terminates in this circumstance.

 

[retired1]

Did a bit of reading on line and came across this.

Anabasine is not expected to be present in pharmaceutical grade nicotine. A urine specimen that contains equal to or greater than 3 ng/mL anabasine is not consistent with nicotine replacement therapy but rather, indicates tobacco use has occured (active smoking).

I'd have to ask the same question that Spazmelda asked. Are you using ejuice that contains WTAs?

 

[scostakis]

I'm sorry to hear about this. What concentration of anabasine did they find? Were you using WTA liquids at all?

All I've been told is that the results were greater than 3. I have no clue what a WTA liquid is, but I use only a liquid called Monkey Juice that tastes like bananas, from Indy Vapor Shop here in Indianapolis. I suppose I could ask them if there's an ingredient list that I can get from them.

 

[dilong1717]

Do you have a copy of the lab reports to prove that anabasine was found? I wouldn't take someone's verbal statement as truth given what's at stake. I found this website:
Drug and Alcohol Testing, DOT Physicals Q&A • View topic - Nicotine in urine drug testing

Apparently, they can't confirm or deny that one can have anabasine present in their system from "passive smoke inhalation"

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Go see a doctor who can recommend an independent test.

Anabasine is a nearly foolproof indication of active tobacco use. So is nornonicotine and cotinine, above certain levels.

These are some of the minor alkaloids that are also present in tobacco. They are also often found in tobacco absolutes, naturally extracted tobacco flavors, and whole tobacco alkaloid liquids.

I only know this because I've been experimenting with TA, NET and WTA liquids in my own liquids and have done my homework on those materials.

 

[Spazmelda]

I know that the FDA report found anabasine in some liquids, but it was not detected in others. I believe 2 ng/ml is the usual cut off for anabasine (in urine, I think). Ah, That stinks. I'd guess that the nicotine in the juice you are using has just enough anabasine present to push you over the limit. I'm not sure if there is anything you could do to protest it. You might see about trying to get them to redo the test or let you have an independent test done.

 

[Starlyte2]

Could be your using Ejuice made from real tobacco extracted flavors, like TPA Tobacco Absolut. Or you're using juice made from steeping tobacco leaves. Or Whole Tobacco Alkaloid juice.
Or there's something in the Ejuice that stimulates the apparition of anabasine.
Sounds a bit fishy though.
What Ejuice do you Vape if you don't mind me asking ?
And how long have you been a Vaper ?
I don't know how long this stuff stays in your body. You should check up on that, as some products stay in you for a few months or even more, depending on the chemical.
Wierd

 

[Robino1]

Could be your using Ejuice made from real tobacco extracted flavors, like TPA Tobacco Absolut. Or you're using juice made from steeping tobacco leaves. Or Whole Tobacco Alkaloid juice.
Or there's something in the Ejuice that stimulates the apparition of anabasine.
Sounds a bit fishy though.
What Ejuice do you Vape if you don't mind me asking ?
And how long have you been a Vaper ?
I don't know how long this stuff stays in your body. You should check up on that, as some products stay in you for a few months or even more, depending on the chemical.
Wierd

His opening post stated he has been vaping 4 years using 24mg liquid. In his second post in the thread, he stated "He only Vapes a liquid from a local vendor called Monkey Juice that tastes like bananas".

 

[nap317]

I don't know how long this stuff stays in your body. You should check up on that, as some products stay in you for a few months or even more, depending on the chemical.

that's what i would focus on, personally. if it leaves your system in 24 hours, say, maybe you can demand a retest and cut down on vaping for a day (or sleep for a whole day, whatever works man) then try it again. that's wild. best of luck. :/

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Big Bummer! Sorry to hear that.

 

[Zelly]

I found this thread to be an interesting topic.
- given the "newness" of vaping. Some googling provided this link which may be of interest...

NICOU - Clinical: Nicotine and Metabolites, Urine

It was educational for me.

 

[Jewels]

It would be very helpful to know how long of a period of complete abstinence from vaping is typically needed to bring a person’s levels of Nicotine, Cotinine, Anabasine and Nornicotine down to the point where they could blame passive exposure.

Does anyone know – or does it depend largely on your metabolism and the type of juice you vape?