PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – We’re learning more about Pitt County Schools’ new tool to stop vaping on school grounds.
The new vape detectors can pick up smoke coming from bathrooms and locker rooms and let the school’s administration and resource officer know someone’s vaping there, according to the school system.
“It’s an epidemic that we’re seeing with students,” said PCS Security Specialist, Jennifer Peebles.
They say they chose bathrooms and locker rooms because students feel like they can go under the radar there and get away with it.
One parent said he’s not too worried about vaping in schools.
“I don’t think it’s safe, but it’s a lot safer to smoke than cigarettes. It’s not a particular concern of mine as a parent,” said Adam Philipps.
A recent high school graduate told us she recently quit vaping and doesn’t think it’s being blown out of proportion.
“I started having some chest pains and some issues, so I decided it was time to quit,” explained Amber Moats.
Moats’ mother, Louise, says she’s relieved her daughter gave up the dangerous habit. She says she worries for the children who started so young.
“I wish that they had never done it, but now that they have done it, I’m just praying because they need to stop,” Louise Moats added.
PCS says the total cost to install the 105 detectors is around $140,000. They say they got the funds from a Juul settlement.
We’re also told another reason these were implemented is because students have been flushing vapes down the toilet, and this has been causing massive plumbing issues at multiple Pitt County schools.
The school system says the detectors can spot the difference between nicotine and THC.
They say students caught with THC vapes will face bigger penalties due to them bringing a type of drug on campus.
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