How the use of vape detectors is slowing the vaping in schools epidemic
3 minute read
Kelsey Smith
December 9th, 2024
With the ongoing struggle institutions are facing against student vaping, investing in proactive prevention has never been more crucial. A recent BBC report called this an ‘epidemic of e-cigarettes and disposable vaping in schools’, and it’s causing serious health problems in children and young people.
The report found that around 1 in 5 teenagers have tried vaping, which is an increase of a third in the last 12 months, and this could be happening in your school.
While there is undoubtedly a wider debate to be had across the UK, there are preventative measures your institution can take to reduce and eradicate the use of vapes and e-cigarettes from your premises.
How to stop vaping in schools
There are many factors that go into why so many students are vaping in schools. First of all, vapes contain nicotine which is highly addictive. On top of this, peer pressure, marketing tactics, and lack of awareness go into why so many young people are vaping.
In order to stop vaping in schools entirely, we need to tackle the root of the problem. The government has laid out plans to remove colourful packaging, sweet flavours, and shop displays of vapes – all strategies there to attract younger audiences.
In schools specifically, it’s about visibility. Having view of who is vaping and where gives you the ability to educate specific students on the dangers of vaping and prevent them from continuing the habit.
The benefits of vape detectors
In order to give staff the visibility they need, vape detectors are being used in many schools. Sending notifications each time vapour is detected, these vape alarms are discreet and easy-to-use, enabling institutes to manage vaping in schools more effectively.
Vaping occurs most often in school bathrooms, where there’s limited visibility. Vape detectors allow staff to monitor whether students are vaping or not while also maintaining their privacy.
Safety
Vape detectors quickly alert staff, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and allowing for timely intervention
Behaviour deterrence
Vape detectors and cameras discourage vaping and other unwanted behaviours like bullying and vandalism
Health education support
Reinforces anti-vaping messaging, helping students consider the health risks
Resource efficiency
Vape detectors enable targeted interventions, reducing the need for constant in-person monitoring
Data
Tracks incident data to improve school policies and demonstrate proactive safety efforts to parents
On-demand webinar
How to detect and deter vaping in schools
Watch our on-demand webinar to discuss the vaping in education epidemic, and the benefits of using hybrid sensors and security solutions.
Verkada’s education suite
Verkada has a range of solutions designed specifically for the education sector. Including video security, vape detectors, alarms, intercoms, and more, the suite has everything you need to keep your school safe, secure, and vape-free.
Their air quality sensors and security cameras include:
- SMS or email alerts when vaping, as well as when bullying events or altercations occur
- Units can be deployed with or without audio and paired with security cameras to detect events while still respecting the privacy of individuals
- Devices are easy to install and integrate with systems that can be managed anytime, anywhere, from any device
Verkada gives you the opportunity to test its physical security solutions in your environment. Book your free 30-day proof of concept (POC) of Verkada’s education suite to explore the possibilities of unified security and full visibility now.
How to deal with vaping incidents
Catching students vaping is only the first step. Handling these situations properly is what will really make a difference in the long run. Here’s a guide on what to do when students are caught vaping in schools:
- Respond quickly: ensure that the staff member addressing the situation is calm and non-confrontational. Explain the rules and why vaping is prohibited, emphasising the health risks associated with it
- Confiscation: collect the vape and document the incident. Tracking incidents over time helps in understanding patterns and identifying which areas may need additional monitoring
- Engage: if possible, speak with the student in a private setting. Ask questions to understand why they were vaping and whether peer pressure or stress played a role
- Involve parents/ guardians: notify the student’s parents or guardians to keep them informed and involved
- Support: for students who appear to be regular users, offer access to counselling services. School counsellors can help students explore underlying issues, such as stress or anxiety, and find healthier coping mechanisms
Overtime, if you maintain good practises and educate students on the importance of not vaping, you’ll see a gradual decline in vaping in schools.
Find out more from our specialists
Arrange a free conversation with our Physical Security Specialist to find out more about how vape detectors are helping stop vaping in schools.
About the author
Kelsey joined Phoenix in late 2022 as the Content and Social Media Apprentice, moving into Content Executive in 2024 after working closely with the Marketing Team to develop her skills in digital marketing. Kelsey’s passion lies in content creation, which is reflected in her contributions across all areas of the business, from external and internal campaigns to our social media accounts.
Kelsey is not only keen to learn about marketing, but also the challenges organisations face and how Phoenix helps them overcome these.