Challenge

Singapore Polytechnic faced the growing challenge of vaping among students, an issue that needed to be addressed urgently to maintain a healthy and safe campus environment. The challenges included:

1. Difficulty in Detection: Unlike cigarettes, which have a distinct smell, vaping is harder to detect due to the variety of scents or lack thereof. Vape vapour dissipates quickly, making it almost unnoticeable. Offenders can also minimise vapour by holding it in their mouths or exhaling into their clothing.
2. Resource-Intensive Surveillance: Conducting surprise checks was disruptive to daily operations and resource-intensive, making it difficult to sustain over time.
3. High Cost of Conventional Detection Systems: The typical vape detection system required multiple detectors for small areas like toilets or locker rooms, costing between $9,000 and $12,000 per space. This high cost was prohibitive for widespread deployment across the campus.
4. Lack of Dedicated Monitoring Resources: There was no dedicated staff to monitor vape detection systems. Existing staff, who were responsible for other duties, often had delayed responses to vaping incidents. Additionally, access restrictions (e.g., male staff unable to enter female toilets) complicated immediate responses.

Solution

To address these challenges, the SMARTGUARD VDS2 was deployed, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution:

• Non-Invasive Deterrent: The VDS2 provided an audio alert through built-in speakers, warning offenders and alerting others nearby of the act.
• Real-Time Alerts: The system sends immediate alerts via a mobile app, allowing for prompt action to be taken.
• Low Power, Cost-Effective Technology: The VDS2 did not require extensive cabling and was significantly cheaper to implement compared to conventional vape detection systems.

Results

The deployment of SMARTGUARD VDS2 successfully deterred vaping on campus by:

1. Increasing Coverage: The cost-effective, standalone system allowed for increased coverage across campus, reducing the opportunity for offenders to vape discreetly.
2. Effective Deterrence: Immediate audio alerts warned offenders to stop the act, and the alerts to nearby individuals raised awareness of the issue, creating a community-driven deterrence.
3. Demonstrating Commitment: By implementing this system campus-wide, Singapore Polytechnic sent a strong message of its commitment to maintaining a healthy, safe, and compliant environment. The initiative not only minimised vaping incidents but also underscored the institution’s proactive stance on student health and safety.