How long does tobacco stay in system when you need to pass a swab test?

2-3 days: Nicotine is a short-acting drug, and is usually metabolized into cotinine which lasts for up to 72 hours. If you give it one week, your test should be negative. Swab tests of oral fluids may remain positive for up to a week. However, far more important than passing a cotinine drug test is STAYING STOPPED. All forms of tobacco shorten human life and cause untold misery in millions of people.