How Schools Are Fighting the Vaping Epidemic — Without Compromising Student Privacy

The youth vaping epidemic isn’t slowing down — but schools aren’t standing still either.

Recently, our Chicago Region Sales Manager, Todd Zafirovski, appeared on ChicagoLIVE and ChicagoNOW to discuss how Tusker is helping school districts tackle one of their most persistent challenges: vaping in bathrooms, locker rooms, and other privacy areas.

This isn’t just about catching students.

It’s about creating safer spaces, improving air quality, and giving administrators real-time insight into what’s happening in areas where cameras can’t go.

Today, more than 500 schools nationwide — including over 100 in Illinois alone — partner with Tusker to deploy vape detection technology.

The Challenge: Cameras Can’t Go Everywhere

Schools face a difficult balance:

• Bathrooms and locker rooms require privacy.
• Vaping and other incidents often happen in those exact areas.
• Staff can’t monitor every hallway or stairwell.
• Traditional smoke detectors don’t detect vape aerosols.
• False alarms waste time and resources.

Administrators needed a smarter solution.

The Solution: Smart Sensors Designed for Privacy Areas

Tusker deploys the HALO IoT Smart Sensor, a multi-sensor security device designed specifically for environments where cameras are not permitted.

HALO is not a camera.
It does not record conversations.
It does not capture video.

Instead, it provides real-time alerts when it detects:

• Vape and THC oil
• Smoke
• Air quality issues
• Aggressive behavior or shouting
• Gunshots
• Chemical leaks
• Environmental hazards

This gives schools actionable data — without compromising student privacy.

Why HALO Is Different

Not all vape detectors are created equal.

1. True THC Detection

HALO is the only vape detector capable of detecting THC oil, not just nicotine-based aerosols.

2. 12 Integrated Sensors

HALO combines 12 unique sensors working together — monitoring:

• Vape, smoke, and particulates
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen
• Temperature, humidity, pressure
• Light sensitivity and tampering
• Audio analytics for abnormal noise levels

Multiple sensors working together dramatically reduce false alarms compared to single-sensor devices.

3. Designed for Airflow

The device is engineered to optimize airflow across its sensors, enabling faster detection of harmful chemicals and vape aerosols.

4. Advanced Audio Analytics

HALO can detect:

• Aggression and shouting
• Excessive banging
• Gunshots
• Spoken keyword alerts (customizable)

Importantly, it does not record conversations — it detects sound patterns and anomalies.

5. No Annual Cloud Fees

HALO connects directly to your existing security monitor and VMS system.
It’s a security device — not a subscription web app.

That means:

• No recurring cloud fees
• No separate applications
• Seamless integration

6. Grant Support Available

IPVideo Corporation provides assistance with federal and state grant applications, helping districts fund implementation.

Beyond Vaping: A Health & Safety Platform

While vaping may be the primary driver for installation, schools quickly realize HALO delivers far more value:

• Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring aligned to government standards
• Detection of chemical spills in science labs and custodial areas
• Mold prevention through humidity alerts
• Gas and smoke detection
• Aggression and bullying alerts in locker rooms

What starts as a vape detection initiative often becomes a broader campus safety and wellness strategy.

Midwest Roots. National Reach.

Tusker is proud to support over 500 schools across the country — with deep roots in the Midwest and strong partnerships throughout Illinois.

As Todd shared on ChicagoLIVE, this technology isn’t about punishment.

It’s about prevention.

When students know detection systems are in place:

• Vaping incidents drop.
• Bathroom damage decreases.
• Staff time spent investigating incidents is reduced.
• School leaders regain visibility in blind spots.

Creating Safer Schools — Responsibly

The vaping epidemic is real. But so is the responsibility to protect student privacy.

With smart sensor technology like HALO, schools don’t have to choose between safety and trust.

They can have both.

🎥 Watch Todd Zafirovski’s ChicagoNOW interview here