Safety Technology International

Vaping, also known as electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, has increasingly become popular among young adults. In recent years, adolescents have started to vape at younger ages with higher intensity.

As of February 2024, there were approximately 39 million people who use e-cigarettes or tobacco products worldwide (Google statistics). That number has increased by 24 million since 2011.

With national data showing an increase in vape use in teenage children across the nation over the last four to seven years, it is not surprising schools and universities are the hardest hit when it comes to dealing with what many are calling a “vaping epidemic” or “vaping crisis.”

How can schools combat student vaping?

The first and most challenging step is detecting when and where vaping is happening on campuses. The stealthy nature of e-cigarettes allows students to vape in a matter of seconds without the pungent odor or obvious smoke of flammable cigarettes.

Many school administrators are taking proactive measures to combat the epidemic by installing surveillance equipment, often done without informing students about the technology, to help crack down on electronic cigarettes.

Schools nationwide have invested millions of dollars in monitoring technology (The Daily Record, May 2024). According to LinkedIn, the vape sensor market had revenues of $202.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $446.6 billion by 2032, which would represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%.

For efficiency, the hard-wired and Wi-Fi-connected vape detectors are installed in common locations where students vape, such as restrooms, classrooms, stairwells, hallways, locker rooms, and other indoor areas.

Some statistics have found that detectors installed in schools have helped catch students vaping every few seconds. Other statistics show that vape detectors are being set off up to 22 times a day in schools.

As always with new technology, it won’t be long before preventative measures need to be put into place to protect devices against vandalism, damage and misuse. Students want to continue to vape in their chosen areas, so they have taken to social media to derive plans on how to outsmart the vape sensors and detectors. Many groups are developing tactics to cover the sensor with plastic wrap, vandalize or damage the device until it is unable to work.

With such a steep investment, how can schools and universities ensure their costly detectors remain operational and unharmed?

Protect Your Investment with Steel Cages

With public buildings spending billions of dollars on vape detection systems, protecting these units from vandalism and accidental damage is vital.

Mitigate the threat of equipment impairment by being proactive and counteracting a building’s weaknesses with STI’s durable 9-gauge Wire Guard Damage Stopper®. The tough wire cage helps protect vape detectors and other fundamental air sensors against damage and vandalism.

Constructed of tough, 9-gauge steel wire coated with corrosion resistant polyester, STI’s cage helps ensure protected detectors and sensors are operational and increases the productivity of the units. They also help decrease maintenance costs, reduce time spent replacing broken or stolen units, and waiting for parts to arrive.

STI offers wire guards in numerous models and sizes to protect vape sensors, smoke detectors, horns/strobes/speakers, clocks/bells, exit signs, motion detectors, clocks, speakers, and much more. Many of our products are UL/cUL Listed.