Schools in the U.S. are fighting back against the use of vaporizers on school grounds. Around 100 schools in New Jersey are looking to install a technology called HALO in their bathrooms.
These systems can detect all types of smoke, including regular smoke, vape (with and without THC), propane, carbon dioxide and even methane.
The system, manufactured by a company called IPVideo Corp., is currently being used in 46 states and in 10 school districts within New Jersey. Sparta High School in Sussex County is the latest school in the state to receive the technology, and it's being used on a trial basis. The school is still deciding whether the system will be permanently installed.
The HALO system has 11 built-in sensors, and it has the capability of detecting THC oil.
Online vaporizer retailers, like yocanvaporizer.com, require customers to verify that they are 18 years of age and explicitly state that their products are intended for adult use only. Still, teens find a way around these mechanisms, which are easy to manipulate, and purchase vaporizers that they ultimately use on school grounds.
The vapor emitted from these devices is undetectable by conventional smoke detectors and is easily hidden as there is no odor.
But some teens aren't convinced that these detection systems will address the problem. They say that teens will simply find another place in the school to vape.
The HALO system may not be a complete deterrent, but school officials are hoping that it will scare off at least some students.
Vaping is a growing epidemic among teenagers. A new study shows that teens in Canada and America are vaping now more than ever before.
Researchers looked at data on smoking and vaping among young people in England, Canada and the U.S. They found that between 2017 and 2018, the number of teens aged 16-19 who reported vaping in the past 30 days increased by 50% in the United States. In Canada, the figure almost doubled.
David Hammond of Canada's University of Waterloo, who led the study, said that young people believe vaping is not harmful to their health and do not know the nicotine levels of these products. Hammond says that parents and children should be aware of the risks of addiction associated with vaping as well as the long-term health effects.
News of the study and the HALO system come shortly after 14 people were hospitalized in Illinois and Wisconsin for breathing problems that are potentially linked to vaping.
Three teens in Illinois were hospitalized for severe breathing problems after vaping, and 11 people were hospitalized in Wisconsin for severe lung disease.
The lung disease appeared to be caused by an infection, but all tests have come back negative. Doctors say the only link between the cases is that the people were vaping. However, it is still unclear what they were vaping or where they obtained their vaping liquids.
All of the individuals were hospitalized with fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain. Some of the patients needed assistance to breathe.
