E-cigarette detectors could soon be in Big Apple schools, as lawmakers seek to snuff out vaping among youths.
The city Department of Education would be required to install vape detectors in middle and high schools across the five boroughs under bipartisan legislation introduced last week by Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).
“We just wanted schools to remain a safe nurturing environment — not a place children could begin to destroy their lung health,” Ariola told The Post.
It is unclear how much the city would spend, but many districts across the country have reportedly purchased HALO sensors costing $1000 a piece, which detect chemicals in the air.
The new bill, which has received support from Democratic pols including Brooklyn councilmembers Justin Brannan and Jennifer Gutierrez, comes nearly a year after The Post revealed the DOE had been reviewing vape detectors from manufacturers, including Triton Sensors.
E-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco product by kids across the country, with 10% of high school students and 4.6% of middle schoolers admitting to vaping in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The devices, many of which are manufactured in China and other countries overseas, contain nicotine along with other toxic chemicals that could result in lung disease and other health complications, according to the American Lung Association.
Under New York state law, retailers are only allowed to sell e-cigarette products that are unflavored or tobacco-flavored.
But vapes, which buyers must be at least 21 years old to purchase, are still being sold in in outlawed sweet flavors such as mango and strawberry banana that target children.
DOE spokeswoman Jenna Lyle said the agency will review the legislation and noted it currently has substance abuse specialists working with schools to provide prevention and intervention services for students.
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