US School District Installs E-Cigarette Sensors in Bathrooms.

In order to prevent tobacco use, the Turlock Unified School District in the United States plans to install electronic cigarette sensors in every student restroom on all middle and high school campuses.

The Troock Joint School District in the United States has received $189,275 from the Department of Justice's tobacco grant program to purchase and install electronic cigarette sensors on middle school campuses. Additionally, the district has implemented a new accountability system to prevent students from using and possessing tobacco products.

According to Barney Gordon, the Assistant Director of Commercial Services, the region has been considering installing electronic cigarette sensors for years due to the increase of cases on campuses.

Gordon explained that over the past year, several restrooms in the area have been testing electronic cigarette sensors, which have proven to be an effective tool in addressing this issue. However, the cost has greatly increased due to the need for data collection for each sensor. As a result, they applied for a grant as soon as the funding window opened.

Since 2017, the grant has been funded by sales taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Over the past five years, the Office of the Attorney General has distributed $170 million.

With the use of this funding, the district plans to install electronic cigarette sensors in every student restroom in their secondary schools. This includes Troy High School, Pittman High School, Ross Lawler Continuation High School, Holland Middle School, and Troy Junior High School.

Gordon stated, “Electronic cigarettes on campus have become a significant issue across the entire state and country. The electronic cigarette sensors are one of the measures we have implemented to address this problem.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, electronic cigarettes are the most common form of smoking among young people this year. The organization announced that approximately one out of every 30 middle school students (3.3%) use electronic cigarettes. The number of high school students has significantly increased, as the CDC estimates that one out of every seven high school students (14.1%) use electronic cigarettes.

Marie Russell, the Director of Communication, Family Engagement, and External Relations, added that under education regulations, using or carrying tobacco on campus for the first time will result in parents being notified and the student being suspended for one to three days and referred to substance education. A second offense will also result in parent notification, a suspension of three to five days, and mandatory participation in a restorative conference. A third incident will result in a five-day suspension and another restorative conference. The district also notes that vaping THC oil or similar substances may result in criminal charges.