Vape Detectors in Canadian Schools

Looking at the findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of vaping devices is highest among teenagers and adults aged 18 to 24 years old, with other studies saying it could be even younger. This age range in Canada encompasses students in their college years. 

Do some students bring vapes to school, considering that vaping is becoming increasingly popular? Yes, and in Canada, the education ministry wants to strongly monitor students who vape by installing vape detectors for school. 

Earlier in 2024, media outlets reported the announcement of Ontario’s education ministry to allot $30 million from the education budget to install vape detectors and other related security upgrades in certain vicinities of the Canadian province’s schools.

Students comprise a significant portion of vaping consumers. According to statistics from the Canadian government, teenagers are some of the biggest consumers of vapes in the country.

The government decided on installing vape detectors for schools so they could stay ahead of the trend. Meaning to say, they would like the government and academic institutions to work hand-in-hand to ensure pupils are managed well while engaged in vaping. When teenagers are in school, they are away from their parents, and educators are the ones responsible for them.

Parents also play a proactive role in this initiative. Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Education at the time the initiative was announced, and now the Minister of Energy and Electrification of the province, personally wrote a letter addressed to parents to inform them of this undertaking. 

As soon as the vape detector is installed successfully and enabled, it will function to constantly monitor the air in the vicinity it was placed for any sign of certain chemicals and particulate matter that come from vaping devices. These may include vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and nicotine.

Some of these detectors feature sensors, such as particulate sensors in charge of detecting tinier and more minuscule vaping particles, as well as gas sensors that work to detect gas-based vape content and combination sensors for detecting both. 

Vape detectors are not only installed in schools, but also in business establishments and corporate settings, office towers, hotels, nightclubs, gyms, and airports, among others. They pretty much function how smoke detectors do. 

There are various impacts of vape detectors in schools for the students. Here are some of them:

• These vape detectors can effectively enforce the schools’ policies on vaping without teachers, principals, school administrators, and security staff’s constant reminding, ensuring the students are safe even if they vape within school grounds.

• These detectors or sensors measure the air quality in the area where they are installed. They will send out alerts if they detect chemicals from vaping devices in the air. 

• They’re tough on security and privacy. No privacy policies have been bypassed since the Ontario education ministry decided to install these vape detectors in school washrooms. In these particular areas, no security and surveillance cameras are allowed, but these vape detectors can detect vaping activity without intruding on the privacy of the students. 

• When it comes to their negative impacts, they’re mostly on the financial aspect. Schools that decide to install vape detectors may charge higher tuition fees from the students and parents to cover the installation and maintenance fees for these detectors. 

The media also interviewed the students who said they’re willing to abide by the new rules. However, some of them don’t think the vape detectors will be as effective since some students may just move locations to continue vaping away from these sensors. 

As mentioned previously, funding worth $30 million is allotted for the implementation of this extensive project. What’s great is that it goes beyond monitoring the students’ vaping habits by also having measures that guarantee students’ general safety in school. 

The installation of these vaping detectors for schools coincides with regulations on the use of mobile phones and social media during instruction, as well as teachers being required to comment on their students’ levels of distraction during class on their report cards. 

Prior to the official announcement of this initiative, government boards and academic institutions launched pilot projects during the previous months to test the effectiveness of these vape detectors. These pilot testing programs were implemented in areas like Peel Region, specifically in some Brampton and Mississauga schools.

The pilot testing was successful, leading to full expansion in early 2024. These detectors installed in washrooms don’t just detect vape chemicals and aerosols, but also loud noises and crowding, sending alerts to the administrator’s office in case the students need help. 

Since they also detect crowding, other pupils who wish to use the washroom can do so because the over-congregation of students is prevented.

Vape detectors installed in Ontario schools are not meant to intrude on the students’ vaping habits nor to prevent them from doing so, but rather to implement safety and advocate for responsible vaping, especially when the students are within school grounds. While the results have been positive so far, it’s also interesting to note the negative impacts, such as the possibility of school fees increasing to cover the costs of having these detectors. 

RELX is a vaping brand that offers high-performing vaping products for responsible adult users. We encourage everyone to stay informed and up-to-date on vaping regulations like these.