Lincoln Unified School District installs vape sensors in some Stockton high schools

Lincoln Unified School District is looking to curb tobacco use in schools, with the installation of sensors on high school campuses to detect the use of vapors that may be released from vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes.

There are two high schools in the Lincoln Unified School District, including Lincoln High School and Village Oaks High School in north Stockton. Superintendent Kelly Dextraze said the sensors were installed in the schools' restrooms at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, which started on Aug. 6.

"The sensors alert staff when a student engages in smoking or vaping in a restroom, and students seen leaving a restroom after the alert may face an investigation by school administrators," Dextraze said. "Students may also face disciplinary measures in accordance with our student handbook if they are found with nicotine or vaping paraphernalia. We also offer a six-week substance abuse counseling group for students after their first offense, and parents can self-refer for this counseling as well."

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Discipline can range from referral to substance abuse counseling, suspension, detention, or expulsion depending on the circumstances, according to Tyler Heberle, a spokesperson for the Lincoln Unified School District.

"Discipline in Lincoln Unified School District is a progressive process based on the actions of each individual student," Heberle said.

At this time, the district is not considering installing the sensors at additional schools.

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Dextraze said the sensors are a response to the rising epidemic of e-cigarette use among youth.

In 2023, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That year, 2.1 million (7.7%) students used e-cigarettes. About 550,000 (4.6%) of those students were in middle school and 1.56 million (10%) were in high school.

"Many young people may not realize how much the ingredients found in e-cigarettes may damage their lungs and brains," the superintendent said.

No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe, according to the CDC. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and is a health danger for pregnant people, developing fetuses and youth.

Aerosol from e-cigarettes can also contain harmful and potentially harmful substances. These include cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into lungs.

"We believe these sensors will help us to curb a rising concern," Dextraze said. "We hope to raise awareness of the dangers of vaping while discouraging students from partaking in actions that may be harmful to them in the long run. We encourage parents to help us address this issue by talking with their students about the consequences of smoking and vaping."

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To help facilitate those conversations, the district will be holding informational meetings at the Lincoln High School Performing Arts Center. At the meeting, parents can learn more about the sensors and the dangers of smoking and vaping.

The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21 and Sept. 10 at 6844 Alexandria Place in Stockton.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow .

This article originally appeared on The Record: Lincoln Unified School District installs vape sensors in some Stockton high schools