Vaping has become an increasingly prevalent problem among young people in Australia, with schools often being a common setting for this activity. In response to this growing concern, the New South Wales government has announced plans to purchase and install vape detector sensors in school bathrooms across the state. The goal is to deter students and eliminate vaping across school campuses indefinitely, but is that possible?
The plan
Under the plan outlined in tender contracts, vape detectors are set to be installed in public schools across the state starting in July. The contracts are seeking to secure 40,000 of these devices, which will not only detect vaping but identify students who may be smoking THC in school bathrooms too.
According to a recent article from the ABC, some large schools have caught as many as 350 students vaping each week, while another school had 50 kids caught on the first morning the units came online. This is a grave concern, given the potential health risks associated. It’s also come as a major shock to parents and teachers as the sheer number associated were not anticipated at all.
A new era in Australian Smoking Reforms
Back home, new information has become known recently that Australia is set to implement the biggest smoking reform in a decade by banning the sale of non-prescription vapes. This comes amid growing concerns about the effects of vaping on our young people and the aggressive marketing of e-cigarettes. “E-cigarettes are being actively and aggressively marketed to young people — they’re available in 17,000 different flavours, including bubble-gum, fairy floss and lemonade,” said Epidemiology and public health professor at the Australian National University, Emily Banks. “I am incredibly concerned about vaping among young people and the effects of the 200 different chemicals the products contain.”
The future
With information like that, it would be a fair assessment to make that vape detectors could soon likely become the norm in schools across the country as laws crack down to regulate the problem. Well, what about other industries? Will other sectors follow suit and install these systems in their buildings? It could be too early to say but it looks like we could be headed that way.
The fight against vaping in schools and other areas requires a comprehensive solution that can effectively monitor and respond to vaping activity. With the help of Verkada vape detectors and their innovative features and integration with sensors and cameras, Alpha Global offers schools a powerful tool for addressing this problem. By working together with schools and the government, we’re committed to creating a safer and healthier environment for young people in Australia.
Advanced solutions
The vape detectors we supply are designed to monitor and respond to vaping activity in many settings. The detectors can be configured to set up alert thresholds and notify administrators via SMS or email. This means that schools can quickly and efficiently identify instances of vaping and take action to address the issue.
What sets these vape detectors apart is their ability to integrate with Verkada air quality sensors and cameras. This allows schools to monitor high-risk areas like outside bathrooms, locker rooms, and hallways without infringing on students’ privacy. By tracking vaping events over time, schools can identify patterns and develop other effective strategies for addressing the problem.
Time to act
The fight against vaping in schools is starting to heat up, and the New South Wales government is taking serious steps to combat this growing problem, and rightly so. At Alpha Global, we are proud to be part of this effort to create a safer and healthier environment for young people in Australia. We offer a powerful tool for monitoring and responding to vaping activity, and we are committed to working with schools and the government to address this issue.
But as mentioned, it’s not just schools that are now facing this problem. As the Australian government implements its biggest smoking reform in a decade by banning non-prescription vapes, the fight against vaping is only just beginning. It remains to be seen whether other industries will follow suit and install vape detectors in their buildings, but the signs are certainly pointing in that direction.
So let us stay vigilant, Australia. By acting now to address the risks associated with vaping, we can create a safer and healthier future for our young people. And with Alpha Global and Verkada on your side, you can be confident that you are taking the right steps to make that future a reality.
To learn more, or trial some of our solutions, contact us at [email protected]
