The rise of vaping among students has become a critical issue for K-12 schools across the United States. According to data from the CDC in 2023, 1 of every 10 high school students (10.0%) and 1 out of 22 middle school students (4.6%) reported that they had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days.

This alarming trend underscores the urgency for schools to implement effective strategies to curb vaping on campus. Vape detectors have emerged as a vital tool in this fight, helping schools monitor and reduce vaping incidents on campus. While the role of vape detectors in school continues to be discussed and debated, it’s clear that more schools are implementing them to try to stop vaping in schools.

So, how do you decide which vape detector is right for your school?

In this post, we explore some of the best vape detector companies that provide reliable and advanced technology to help schools maintain a vape-free environment, alongside real reviews from users.

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HALO Smart Sensor

The HALO Smart Sensor by IPVideo Corporation is a top choice for schools looking to combat vaping. The Halo sensor is designed to detect vape emissions, including those with THC, as well as monitor air quality and noise levels. In addition to detection, the devices capture comprehensive health, safety, and vaping awareness data and metrics. 

HALO offers several product options and has won over 75 awards.

Key Features:

• Vape and THC detection.
• Air quality monitoring, including humidity and temperature.
• Motion detection
• Customer sensor options

Review: “They are not only for catching kids vaping, but also for keywords and sounds. The devices are used to monitor for gunshots, to detect noxious chemicals and to identify words such as ‘help’ or ‘fire.’ These detectors have always been 100 percent accurate.”

— Chris Filidei, District Police Chief, Hitchcock ISD, Texas

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Zeptive:

Zeptive provides vape detection and air quality monitoring technology for schools, businesses, and public spaces. They are dedicated to creating a safer and healthier environment by detecting and deterring airborne contaminants in real-time, including vaping and smoking.

Their technology is designed to detect vaping, and utilizes advanced sensors to detect unique chemicals associated with these activities. According to Zeptive, they are the industry's first wireless vape detector with their battery-powered devices. In addition to their wireless devices, they offer standard wired sensors.

Key Features:

• Wireless
• App
• Web Console
• Notifications

Review: “After meeting and interviewing with [Zeptive], I walked away knowing they had the expertise we needed in the detection of chemicals and changes in air quality. They weren’t just putting out a device to put out a device. They were seriously trying to create technology that would actually work.”

—Bryan Corrigan, Assistant Principal, Melrose High School

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Triton Sensors 

Triton is an advanced vape detection and school safety platform. They offer schools two options: the 3D Sense and the 3D Sense Pro. While 3D Sense is only an e-cigarette sensor, 3D Sense Pro is a complete school safety device. It includes vape detection, keyword detection, a tamper siren, air quality insights, and more. 

According to Triton, their customers typically see a significant drop in vaping activity within 5 weeks of deploying their vape detectors. Triton offers a free 3D Sense Trial Unit for schools interested in their vape sensors.

Key Features:

• Key-Sense Keyword Detection
• Violence and Vandalism Alerts
• Real-time vape detection.
• Integration with school alert systems.

Review: “It has almost totally eliminated the vaping on our campus”

—D. Previn Carr, Dean of Students and Discipline, Phoenix, AZ

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Verkada

Verkada is an integrated physical security company that offers a variety of building and security products in a single cloud-managed platform. Their SV23 in their SV20 Series Air Quality Sensors is a versatile indoor air quality sensor for indoor air quality monitoring, asset protection, vape detection and conditional monitoring.

Key Features:

• Wireless
• App
• Web Console
• Notifications

Review: “The sensor cuts down our response time to incidents down to a matter of 2-3 minutes. We also use a combo of temperature, motion, and noise readings to detect large gatherings, fights and other scenarios in bathrooms that we don’t want.”

—​​Dustin Osborne , Director of Technology

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Get to the Root of the Issue and Stop Vaping with SmartPass

While technological solutions like vape detectors play a crucial role in monitoring and alerting staff about vaping incidents, SmartPass offers a comprehensive approach that extends beyond detection.

SmartPass not only helps schools manage and monitor student movements but also significantly reduces unmonitored periods that could lead to vaping. By providing a comprehensive overview of student whereabouts and setting up features like pass limits and encounter prevention, SmartPass enables admins to address the overall vaping issue as a social problem. For schools considering a multi-faceted approach, combining SmartPass with one of the top vape detectors can provide a robust solution to effectively manage and reduce vaping incidents. 

Alternatively, many schools using SmartPass successfully stop vaping incidents without needing any vape detectors in the building!

Either approach underscores our commitment at SmartPass to not only manage student movements but also to contribute positively to creating a safer and healthier school environment.

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