Vaping, or the inhalation of vapor produced by e-cigarettes or other vaping devices, is often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, the long-term effects of vaping are largely unknown. Still, studies indicate that young e-cigarette users are more likely to transition to conventional cigarettes later in life, leading to potentially serious health consequences. The Stanford University School of Medicine recently published a study that found that teenagers and young adults who vape face a risk of COVID-19 that’s several times higher than their peers who do not vape. Researchers believe that vaping may damage the lungs, making them more susceptible to infection—leading to many near-term and lifelong health concerns.
This troubling trend is impacting not only student health, academic performance, and social well-being but also school district finances, with districts spending thousands of dollars annually on enforcement, education, drug testing and prevention efforts. According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, nearly 2.5 million U.S. students vape regularly.
And to make the situation worse, the problem of e-cigarette use among students isn’t just limited to nicotine. Another significant issue is that students are using these devices to consume THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. The design of e-cigarettes and vape pens makes it possible for students to vape substances other than nicotine. Vape devices can heat various types of e-liquids or vape juices, which may contain nicotine, flavors or other substances such as THC. In fact, some students use specially designed cartridges called vape pods, often filled with THC-infused oils. These can be inserted into vaping devices and used much like nicotine cartridges, making it difficult for school staff to identify the substance.
In terms of detection, standard vape detectors may not be able to differentiate between nicotine and THC vapors. Therefore, schools must consider sensors designed to detect specific chemical signatures associated with THC use. These advanced detectors can provide a more comprehensive solution, helping schools address not only nicotine vaping but also the growing problem of THC vaping.
In response to these challenges, school districts are exploring event-driven artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to detect and deter vaping. One such solution is using simple vaping detectors, which utilize sensors to detect vaping aerosols and trigger alerts. Installed in areas where traditional video cameras are not allowed—like bathrooms and hallways—these detectors send real-time alerts to school administrators or resource officers, facilitating immediate action. Social media monitoring of students is also commonly used by school administrators to uncover discussions related to vaping, helping to identify students who are potentially involved in vaping activities.
Though early evidence shows these technologies are effective, they aren’t without limitations. Vaping detectors may not detect all types of vaping devices, and social media monitoring may overlook instances of student vaping if they’re not posted online.
An open, smart approach
Open-platform video management technologies integrated with a new generation of smart sensors offer a breakthrough in vape detection. New smart sensors available today not only monitor and detect vape, smoke, THC, and other air particulates but also identify specific sounds, such as shouting, glass breaking, and calls for help. New smart sensors detect and distinguish cigarette smoking, vaping, nicotine, and THC oil emitted by vaping devices as well as monitor general air quality in real time, and alert school administrators to potential policy violations on campus immediately.
Smart sensors integrate seamlessly with open-platform video technology platforms, enhancing their capabilities. Smart sensors use a dynamic vape detection algorithm to learn about the environment, alerting operators when vaping occurs, or attempts are made to mask the odor. For example, integrating an open platform video management system (VMS) event manager with smart sensors transmits alerts to the VMS when baseline levels of particulates exceed acceptable limits, enabling proactive resolution of emerging situations.
New breakthroughs in vape detection technology include all-in-one IoT smart sensors that offer additional health and safety uses. In a school environment, these devices include a panic button to meet Alyssa’s Law requirements, indoor health and air quality monitoring, emergency escape and alert lighting, motion detection, and options for people counting sensors to monitor single-use bathrooms. In addition, multi-sensors feature keyword alerting for bullying, audio decibel and abnormality alerting for fighting and bathroom vandalism, and in the worst cases, gunshot detection.
“Event-driven AI security products are truly making a difference to help make the world a smarter, safer and healthier place,” said David Antar, president of IPVideo Corporation. “Today’s integrated, smart security technologies are able to arm schools and other campus-like settings with the resources they need to stop vaping and deliver long-term safety and health value while maintaining the privacy of the individual.”
An open platform data-driven VMS can ingest, store, process, and analyze large amounts of data from various sources in real time. The VMS can then provide visual verification of alarm events, such as looking to see if people are in an area where an air quality issue has been flagged. The information can be presented through visualizations within the VMS as dashboards, maps or charts, providing a clear and intuitive way to understand the data.
Beyond vaping detection and air quality, an open platform VMS can also interface with other school facility technologies, including access control, fire alarm systems, lockdown systems, panic buttons, and mass notification systems. In all cases, the video systems gather and analyze video data and then send out alerts to staff, parents and/or first responders, providing invaluable site visuals and situational awareness in the event of an emergency.
Data-driven video technology is an essential tool for schools looking to leverage integrated analytics to monitor air quality (as well as other environmental, safety and security factors) and manage a wide range of smart edge devices and sensors. School administrators can customize the VMS to send real-time notifications to operators and hall monitors, and trigger automatic video recording from nearby cameras for security personnel to review. The combination of sensors with video platform technologies helps schools enhance their safety and enforce policy measures.
Today’s networked smart air quality sensors can detect smoking and vaping as well as many other air quality aspects, including airborne pathogens, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, and the off-gassing from materials such as cleaning fluids, disinfectants, paints, and varnishes. In all cases, an open platform VMS leverages an ever-expanding community of manufacturers, software developers, and application developers who all work together to solve real-world problems.
As vaping in schools continues to escalate, equipping campuses with the right technology is essential. The pairing of smart sensors with open-platform video management—either on-premises or in the cloud—can detect safety risks and abnormalities in areas where cameras cannot be placed. This integrated solution provides a comprehensive and privacy-conscious approach to tackling the vaping issue, enabling schools to create a safer environment for their students.
A Comprehensive Solution
While there’s no silver bullet for the problem of vaping in schools, the combination of robust policies, educational programs, and advanced technology can prove highly effective. Integrating open-platform video systems and smart sensors represents a significant step toward creating a safer and healthier environment for students and staff. It’s crucial to note that these technologies should always be paired with proper education about the potential dangers of vaping and its long-term impacts on health.
To harness the full potential of these technologies, school administrators must ensure that they are implemented thoughtfully. This means considering issues of privacy, obtaining necessary permissions, and ensuring that the technology is used ethically and responsibly. It is equally important to provide school staff training to effectively use these systems and respond appropriately to the data and alerts they provide.
It is crucial to remember that technology is only part of the solution. It must be complemented by comprehensive education and prevention programs, robust enforcement of policies, and open and honest conversations with students about the risks of vaping. By taking a holistic approach, schools can make significant strides in addressing this public health concern, promoting a safer and healthier learning environment for all students.
