‘Vape alarms’ installed in schools as they are triggered 20 times a day

There has been an increase in children vaping (Image: Getty) Smoke alarms which are triggered by vapes (VapeGuardian) have been installed at schools after figures from SMF Systems suggest that nearly one in ten children are now using e-cigarettes.  The news comes after shocking statistics from the devices installed in 77 secondary schools show that they are activated 17 to 22 times every day. Schools will not receive additional funding for these alarms and will have to pay for it themselves.  Disposable vapes, which are often bright colours and have sweet flavours have been criticised for appealing to young people and children. Illegal vape raids have shown a stark increase in the production and distribution of non-regulated vapes which can cause additional health risks. The issue is nationwide, and police forces across the country have been working on major operations visiting shops reported to be selling e-cigarettes to school-age children.  Vapes were initially seen as a way to get people to stop smoking, however it appears this is no longer the case.  According to a survey released by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) last year, the percentage of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 who currently vape increased from 4 per cent in 2020 to 7 per cent in 2022. Only 3 per cent of 11 to 15-year-old children had ever used a vape in 2013, but by 2020 and 2022, that number had increased to 8 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. VapeGuardian shared that their mission is to “combat the alarming rise of children vaping by tackling the harmful effects of this industry head-on”. Colourful vapes attract children (Image: Getty) They believe that if they can tighten regulations, it will help to prevent the youth from being exposed to vaping, and lead to a reduction in the number of children who turn to e-cigarettes. They are working with Members of Parliament to restrict advertising, packaging, flavours, and accessibility of vape products.