Vaping has become a major health and behavioural concern among adolescents. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, e-cigarette use among people aged 14-24 has more than doubled in recent years. Research from the Australian National University shows that many young people who vape had never smoked prior to starting. This shift presents a significant challenge for schools and youth-focused environments, as vaping is very easy to conceal, produces limited odour, and often occurs discreetly in bathrooms, changerooms, and other unsupervised areas.
Evidence based-research has already proven health consequences associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vapes. Studies consistently show that vapes expose users to nicotine, ultrafine particles, chemicals, and toxins known to damage the lungs and airways. For adolescents in particular, nicotine exposure can lead to measurable effects on attention, learning, and mood regulation. Respiratory effects such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and reduced lung function have also been documented in youth who vape.
Beyond health risks, the discreet nature of vaping creates operational challenges for schools. Staff often rely on visual detection or reports from students, both of which are often unreliable. Additionally, many devices emit little vapour, making it difficult to identify. Vaping can also occur in seconds, making it very difficult to intervene in a timely manner. This unique context makes it difficult for schools and other youth-centered environments to maintain compliance, protect the well-being of adolescents, and respond to incidents quickly and accurately.
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Blue IoT’s vape monitoring solution is designed to support schools and youth-facilities primarily by providing accurate, real-time detection of vaping activity. Our system identifies aerosolised particles and chemical signatures unique to vaping, including both nicotine-based and non-nicotine vapour. Within seconds of detection, alerts, including location information, are automatically triggered and sent via email or SMS. Each sensor is discreet, tamper-resistant, and connected via a secure LoRaWAN or Wi-Fi network, depending on site requirements. All events are logged on our Encompass Blue platform, which supports location comparison, historical trend analysis, and integration into student wellbeing frameworks.
By providing immediate alerts along with the specific location of an incident, the system enables timely intervention. Its tamper-resistant design helps deter students from using vapes or e-cigarettes in areas where sensors are installed. Connectivity via LoRaWAN or Wi-Fi offers flexible integration options while ensuring a stable, secure connection so devices remain operational at all times. Sending all data to Encompass Blue allows users to identify trends, such as which sites experience the most incidents and at what times, enabling additional strategies to further reduce occurrences. Overall, Blue IoT’s vape monitoring service supports compliance with no-vaping and no-smoking policies while prioritising the health and well-being of all occupants, especially adolescents.
