Can nicotine be detected in a pre-employment drug test?

Many employers require job applicants to pass a pre-employment drug test before they can begin working. The basic drug test, called a five-panel drug screen, checks for five different illegal drugs, including marijuana and cocaine. However, testing labs also have the capability to test for nicotine, the drug found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Since cigarettes are legal and do not adversely impact someone's ability to do a job physically or mentally, you might wonder whether your employer can require you to pass a test for nicotine and whether you can be denied a job if you smoke cigarettes. The answer depends on a number of factors, including the employee.