Meet the Headteacher Who Installed Vaping Alarms in His School | This Morning

As the government announce a crackdown on vaping today - with a plan to completely ban disposable vapes, we’re joined by the head teacher who’s been leading the charge. Tony McCabe installed a vape detector in his school bathrooms, only for it to go off 112 times in the first day. With 69% of underage vapers using disposable vapes, Tony’s students, Izzy and Leila, join us to discuss their experience, alongside Dr Sara who will be detailing how little we know about the effects of vaping, and what you can do to stop for good.
Broadcast on 29/01/2024
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[@leahevehumphries]

How are kids getting hold of vapes... I turn 24 on Friday and still get ID'd for Monster 😭🤣

[@docequillibrium5288]

theres actually some vape shops that sell it for cheap, I see people from my school go there sometimes. Its really scary, its very very cheap. Theres even signs near the shops that says 3 vapes for £1.50. Guys please care sbout your long-term health.

[@miaclarke6859]

Kids get older people to buy them. It’s easy. I was 16 mates with 18/19 year olds and they all vaped so I started and they bought them for me a box at a time. I know the dodgy vape shop in town that sells to kids as young as 12 I saw. Honestly it’s not hard. People sell them on Snapchat too. Like I’ve seen someone selling elfbars for 10 quid on there and you can buy them for 3 quid.

[@ben._fb6901]

It’s so easy. I used to vape - I’m 16 and took a photo of my passport and just used an editing app to change my date of birth. Almost every corner shop accepted it

[@Rise-and-Shine333]

Older people, weirdos and sometimes the parents

[@kyleemeg2171]

Some vape shops don’t ID…. And some adults buy in bulk and sell to underaged people who can’t buy from stores

[@snsn7251]

Good on him for trying to deal with the madness. No telling the damage it will cause years from now. Glad the government is finally attempting to do something. Parents need to get a grip too.

[@senfistyleprojects]

It's terrible- the government shouldn't have to in the first place. Many parents do not take care of their children today.

[@Corrie561]

Kids are smart, they’ll hold in the vapour until there’s nothing to breathe out or do it slowly away from the alarm. They’re not as good as smoke alarms. But at least 1 school is doing something to prevent it I suppose.

[@charlottedrew9714]

100% agree

[@leahclarkmusic5762]

It’s great to see an educator who understands young people and sees them as victims of their culture/generation. He is actively seeking to educate and help these teens instead of villainising them. So good!

[@iainrae6159]

It should be pointed out to kids that vaping 'aint a cool look, watching a teen puff like crazy is hilarious.

[@user-bk9fk2tq2z]

Vaping is harmful to health, and vaping is silly.

[@URFUTUREUK]

They probably think that about adults that smoke though tbf.

[@timgb7882]

Telling a class that something isn't cool won't work, students will just ignore you. If you want to make something uncool, either someone uncool needs to do it, or the people that do it need to be made uncool.

[@URFUTUREUK]

@@timgb7882 great thanks

[@nannaa125]

@@URFUTUREUK yes we do

[@ranellexposed]

Good on these girls for speaking out too! It can’t be easy going so publicly against the grain, when there is such strong pressure to ‘fit in’ at that age.

[@hayleymarch2480]

I was told by our school, that the alarms only work in small areas to be detected. They only pick up vapes that are near enough direct over each cubicle and an individual vaping, and they cost in the region if £1000 per alarm! So over every cubicle would cost thousands of pounds across all toilets in the school!!

[@daianigiovanazdasilva9169]

Well done to this gentleman, at least someone that cares, the shops are selling to kids, they are only interested on the money not in the wellbeing of the the future adults that will be sick if we don't help stopping the vapes.

[@URFUTUREUK]

And the shops will continue to sell them and they will just vape outside of school. 👌🏻

[@Victoria-v2]

@@URFUTUREUK it still stops them from vaping as often, and there in nothing that schools can really do to stop vaping outside of school because it’s not their responsibility it’s their parents

[@makaio9578]

I don’t think bringing on 2 model students on was a good idea. Get a few vapers on

[@joeallan1969]

Teachers pets

[@user-dy2ep3xy9w]

lol every school has vape alarms don’t stop the students 😂

[@maddie2253]

Great headteacher and initiatives

[@URFUTUREUK]

Lol initiative yes 😂😂😂

[@marufgazi9025]

Yes

[@URFUTUREUK]

Vape alarms do not exist. This is a non story. Read the thread, there are kids saying they have them in school and they don't work.

[@URFUTUREUK]

They don't work.

[@nellebuhrmann5343]

Good for you headteacher!! Well done for taking action.

[@URFUTUREUK]

Blah blah blah

[@JH77DAFOOL]

​@@URFUTUREUKnot a GCSE in sight.

[@lilylilylilylol]

my school has had vape alarms for over a year, they don’t work 😭

[@etiennef2371]

Same, they are in the bathrooms so people can’t vape there. But they don’t work

[@lilylilylilylol]

@@etiennef2371 literally, in the sixth form centre one of the toilets has a camera and one has a vape alarm 😭 who tf thought of that

[@Victoria-v2]

@@lilylilylilylol a camera?! I hope you mean outside of the cubicle thing

[@lilylilylilylol]

@@Victoria-v2 yes, there’s two rooms i meant there a camera outside the cubicles in one and a vape detector in the other, same upstairs but there’s cameras in all the toilets now

[@Victoria-v2]

@@lilylilylilylol oh phew i was going to say that I’m not sure if they’re allowed to do that 😭😭 but having a camera outside of the cubicle i assumed most schools did lol

[@lntg]

Everyone goes on about the poor little children and how they're victims. In some ways I agree, but as someone who only just graduated out of high school and experienced being around everyone vaping - everyone knows exactly what they're doing lol. I've never touched a vape because I know the possible health consequences, and since I'm a pilot it would reflect badly on my medical. But there's simply no excuse - besides, young people have always been prone to addictions well before vapes and smartphones existed, it's just worsened because of how easily accessible it is. But I think we need to stop with the "poor me" attitude towards the topic.

[@lilliethomas3490]

Literally, teenagers have smoked for years and years. I smoked as a teenager, I knew exactly what I was doing and that it was bad for me. In fact, the more I think you try to prevent something, the more teenagers find it cool to be rebellious

[@lilylilylilylol]

i’d say it’s more that everyone is appreciating he understands the circumstances; peer pressure and all that. i don’t vape but i’ve done it, and i have the common sense not to buy one a week and sit there puffing away. it’s more normal to be like this, than to say no entirely. i know year 8s and 9s who have them, it’s very normalised and no 13/14 year old cares about the long term when it’s an impulse decision in the moment, it’s not like drinking or smoking. i guess he’s recognising this rather than calling them silly for trying it, which is good and why people are appreciating him. my head teacher is similar(ish), and i can confirm the vape alarms don’t work.

[@Hungrykittynomnom]

I'm pretty much with you there. I'm 24 and I partly agree with the ban just because sometimes I think back and wish I just never touched it and I'm sure most adults do hence the decision to prevent a future generation from looking back in regret. I do think it is a bit of a government over reach but then again we can all agree it will probably only have a positive effect. Yes you will still get the odd kid who picks it up but it should massively reduce it. I'm sure the kids will only look back and be somewhat grateful in years to come even though I don't necessarily agree with this level of government intervention.

[@JoedoesGymnastics]

Passed out from vape you’re joking

[@saturn7709]

Does happen. I was given one with synthetic THC on a night out without knowing and I collapsed.

[@Bqiles]

Lung collapse can also cause u to pass out

[@adredy]

:) dry hit at 200w :)

[@RobloxPlaysRainbows]

We’ve recently got them in out school and you will get a 1 day suspension if you get caught, I don’t vape and am strongly against it but I feel it’s a little OTT to have a teacher stood outside toilets at all times scanning all the students’ pockets.

[@MrZeldion]

1 day suspension, what a reward. Parents will probably see the suspension as a joke and more than likely just laugh about it and buy their kids a mcdonalds on their day off. If its illegal for under 18s (which it is) to vape, then the punishment should be the same as underaged drinking or smoking. Simple as that. Police should have the right to take vapes off kids, and report them to their parents or potentially fine the parents. Fed up of seeing things banned because our culture completely dances around real issues like the lack of responsibility people have these days.

[@ArinatorGrande]

seeing a 11 year old shorter than 4'11 vaping is a sad sight

[@unknownusername2306]

My school toilets where 10/10 place for vaping, head teacher came in coughing his lungs up, even the janitor had a vape in there 😂

[@Rufus2325]

Not all heroes where capes. What a legend.

[@PastaSauce.]

Can we please let that phrase die

[@pearlkelly6337]

you think its used too many times lol?@@PastaSauce.

[@hopebgood]

It's "wear" not "where". 🙄

[@pearlkelly6337]

@@hopebgood They could have dyslexia maybe

[@Wimmles_Emily]

I went to that and they used to hide vapes in the toilet roofs etc about time they do something about it

[@jtd9426]

shocked at how long this took for an interview. Vape alarms have been in different secondary schools for over a year now... it's not new...

[@tawermeister99]

The bit I love is how he said he will transform the addictive behaviour into something positive. Excellent. I vape and I was an ex smoker so this news is bittersweet 🥁. Ban disposables… great. Less colourful packaging… good. But flavour ban, sorry not with that I hope that’s amended because that’s a big draw for vapers who are replacing tobacco with e-liquid.

[@ItsAv3rageGamer]

Seems like parents can't do their jobs properly.

[@sjanex]

Parents can’t watch their kids 24/7, especially when they are teenagers. Blame these vaping shops who are selling vapes to kids!

[@ItsAv3rageGamer]

@@sjanex Vast majority are of these kids caught vaping probably have parents that do it too so they grow up in an environment where its normalised. If your child has a nicotine addiction so serious they need to come out of lessons to get a hit then you've failed seriously as a parent. Obviously shops shouldn't be selling them to underage children, but I'd be willing to bet a good amount of these kids get their parents to buy it for them or use ones lying around at home. I work in a shop that sells vapes and have seen this first hand, parents bringing in their kids asking them which flavours they want like it's a nicotine infested pick and mix.

[@bettygg6318]

@@ItsAv3rageGamer no judgement here but out of curiosity... I used to work in a bar and if this happened regarding alcohol I could be personally prosecuted for supplying alcohol to someone underage along with the venue. So my question... Is this not the same for tobacco products? It'd assume it is and out of personal responsibility, I'd refuse anyway!

[@ItsAv3rageGamer]

@@bettygg6318 You're completely right, and I wouldn't serve someone if I heard them having a conversation of that nature. It absolutely is the same for tobacco products. My point was that vapes even by parents, are pretty well accepted. Most parents don't understand or don't care about the potential harm they could be doing.

[@user-bk9fk2tq2z]

@@sjanex The parents and the vape shops are both to blame.

[@debbieturvey4225]

what a great headteacher!

[@rubymclovely747]

A very positive non punitive approach by the head ;-).

[@fuzzy21uk]

BAN ACOHOL THEN IF YOU BELIVE THIS BAN

[@lewismitchell3751]

Alcohol has better regulations, its not really accessible for underaged people, vapes and cigarettes are easier to get at a younger age and pose a larger risk, yes Alcohol is Poison but people whom can purchase it are Adults and can make their own decisions. As they said in this Video Under 10's have been hospitalised from vapes which is a concern considering the heath risk they pose, they are supposed to be a way to get off cigarettes.@@fuzzy21uk

[@siennaatchison-ct5ep]

My school has vape alarms in the bathrooms and it sends out a notification to specific teachers as soon as the alarm goes off.

[@dalebenton3354]

sounds like smoking/vaping got a lot worse in Schools since I left School,I left School in 1995 when I was 16 years old,17 years old December that year,I was in Collage then,Me and my class mates used to be allowed to smoke any where at Collage,Even smoke right in front of the Teachers,No more hiding away and smoking by the time it was Collage days

[@jonathanstone..]

Did he say cctv in the toilets that get turned on then pointed at the cubicle once the cape alarm gets signalled and it not getting pick up on by the host due to them focusing on tackling gaping in schools, once mentioned the cctv, they should of thought something could be wrong

[@mikita6946]

I don’t think he meant cctv actually in the toilets, rather outside where privacy and dignity is maintained

[@commanderoof4578]

In the toilet area not in each individual toilet You have a room with 2, 3, 4 or more toilets and maybe some urinals with a wall of sinks and mirrors The camera's take count of how is in there and who gets up and leaves so they have a general idea of who and can then put multiple instances of being caught by the camera's and the alarms going off together and catch those that have specifically been caught red handed

[@jrowme9230]

A lot of new secondaries have open sink areas into a hall and the toilets are full too to bottom cubical.

[@FU2CU]

He was my old deputy head teacher at ST CUTHBERTS RC HIGH SCHOOL

[@tarawells1553]

I’m glad he seems to be trying to work with them in a proactive way rather than just giving detentions and moving it underground as such. Maybe the early intervention and help could really make a difference.

[@shanelawless27]

When has prohibition ever worked

[@starlouise397]

Vape alarms... get bins for them too

[@GailDorey-vk5iy]

Sorry to say this local shops do known that age restriction. Unfortunately they ask are you enough to vape teenagers say yes give to young person vape normal poor parents have no clue dinner money use for vape like buying sweets

[@dalebenton3354]

some one also did this at work before,Vaped in the Toilets when its supposed to be a smoke free place,Any one smokes,Suposed to smoke or vape outside,They set of the fire alarm in the toilet,I heard about it any way,They got in to some trouble for that

[@nicholasbuttery511]

The return of the single and match from under the counter ?

[@fab5254]

Everyone has there own poison leave them be

[@bencoatesworth7731]

Had one for smoking at my old school in the old buildings used to go off when people wernt smoking and have never even tried or owned a cigarette an make them feel like they in the wrong. Pleased these at least don’t set bells ringing and staff running. Much better it’s flagged and discreetly looked at later

[@leboinator7621]

man really said thc in disposables what a flippin lemon

[@jjk5981]

Here in Australia we have these alarms. If they find out we get expelled immediately.

[@ts.speaknow13]

This happened at my school when I first started years ago

[@ZSHOOT2KILZ_]

Those students are deffo getting buillied when they go back

[@marciebateman2451]

Watching this while in my lunch break vaping. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@TheSadiemagic]

Ooh cool for you

[@Cray4him]

“Installed vape alarms” we’ve had vape alarms installed for 2-3 years😂

[@troywilson850]

my school had vape alarms probably two years ago

[@user-vd2fb3nh4x]

Young people will always challenge the rules. It takes a lot of staffing to keep on top of current trends - used to be smoking now it’s vaping. The companies selling these products know exactly who their market is hence the flavours, colours etc. our lungs are not made to take anything in other than oxygen. When you breakdown to young people the chemicals that are in your everyday cigarettes they are shocked, the same needs to be done for vaping.

[@hananasrah]

not a vaper but we dont breath in oxygen but predominantly nitrogen

[@livfellows5960]

Theyve been talking about installing vape detectors in my school I think it would be a great idea because the girls bathroom turns into a bit of a zoo during passing period

[@JamesClark-lc2xw]

So did mine but it was the same as the fire alarm so you nerver known

[@user-eo9ct1fr7u]

not special, my school did that time ago and it even tells him what vape it is (thc, or normal)

[@PaulaSandoval03]

Glad this is finally being taken more seriously

[@essexitagermeng5504]

I wish they educated the youth about the risk of drugs, among which alcohol is the worst one. At school they should teach about anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and short and long-term damages on health caused by these horrible substances. Anybody in his/her own right mind should get put off from this absurd, very costly self-destruction. Education leads to more power and real freedom. They should probably invite people with long standing physical and mental damage from drugs to speak in schools.

[@user-vd2fb3nh4x]

They do cover all of these in the National Curriculum. Young people are far more informed than you think.

[@gillowens24]

Very smart idea Tony

[@Charl250]

Kids theses days are smart because they will ask an older person who they think are over than 18 to go and get 1 for them its the same with cigarettes and i have worked with Vapes etc in a shop and the kids normally get there parents to go in for them or get the oldest mate to go and get one. But it is Challenge 25 (in some places i know its that where you always ask for ID if they look younger than 25) But ive had a good couple of people coming to ask me to go buy them cigarettes and vapes when you say no they either give you abuse or go and find someone else to do it

[@gregshearer423]

Jump ins have been a thing for like 20+ years they ain’t nothing new

[@KonnichiwaStudios199]

Also the trouble for shop workers is that a number of them aren't educated in challenge 25 and they know some of the basics but don't know about proxy sales which is a huge issue. I've encountered business who just don't care and will sell to anyone especially if the buy the over 600-800 puff ones. I've seen kids vaping the crystal pro max 10k puffs. The amount of illicit vapes is absolutely horrifying

[@Jakas-qt6hj]

How about actually focusing on a good education and true depth and knowledge being taught in the classrooms rather than focusing on everything else

[@jasminappleby779]

Nice one Mr McCabe!

[@fuzzy21uk]

BAN ACOHOL THEN IF YOU BELIVE THIS BAN

[@Aamirah1]

thats different how are vaping and alcohol similar also why u spamming ths everywhere, its believe* btw

[@arfriedman4577]

If smoking is banned in schools, how is vaping not banned?

[@masie-lq3bk]

it is but ppl do it anyway its easier to hide n stuff that cigs

[@arfriedman4577]

@masie-lq3bk I'm from usa. I thought maybe different in their country.

[@Lifts_QWERTY]

Already installed in Australia. It’s not new.

[@CatalynRose]

I remember when I was in year 11, another student in my year was selling vapes to year 7s

[@matthewhalloran5445]

Why is it Not Saying Which School They Are From?

[@James_Doyle83]

Because of creeps

[@scotlandthebrave334]

10 and 11 year olds. How sad. Next they'll be sniffing glue again.

[@MrZeldion]

Well if sniffing glue became the next trend for kids and there's literally next to no punishment for being caught doing it then yes. Problem with this country is lack of punishment for irresponsible people. If a child gets caught vaping by a police officer, the police should be able to take their ID and contact the parents, fine the parents or ultimately after a couple of offenses arrange a visit from social services.

[@gregshearer423]

@@MrZeldionhow can you fine the parents teenager could literally get a vape anywhere

[@MrZeldion]

@@gregshearer423 You fine the parents the same way you fine anyone for doing something illegal.

[@DrAllDoRespect]

The young lass on the far right looks older than the average high schooler 💀

[@codyalien]

why is shaggy against vaping

[@kathrynbroome5966]

vaping is better to help to give up smoking it does help i gave up cigarets but its still not good for you but it is better than smoking and the prob is more coz u have a cigarett and thats it till thenext one but i was puffing all the time it was always in my mouth puffing

[@fuzzy21uk]

BAN ACOHOL THEN

[@nisaimran9770]

​@@fuzzy21uk what does vaping have to do with alcohol

[@Twisheyfx]

@@nisaimran9770 teenagers do both and they have negative side effects

[@gazza477]

Sorry disagree, kids should not be vaping full stop. Vaping is not a better alternative to smoking for kids.

[@olliebigp]

This is a norm, my school has these as well

[@matthewbaynham6286]

So insteed of the kids vaping in the toilets they will have to find somewhere else, even if that means not being in school, and missing their education. I'm sure around the town wherever that school is there will be large groups of kids just skipping school.

[@InvisibleVicky]

Good!

[@scottbell2533]

My friend is 17 years old she is vaping

[@jmamassey3979]

There choice tbh just don’t cover it on nhs when they need care

[@dean3084]

Put disposable vape trading in the hands of criminals brilliant idea!!!

[@emilynightingale1707]

them girls both defo vape😂

[@mrflyingcheesychips]

my HT did this ages ago lol

[@krnstc]

Glad to see Rylan!

[@casualsports90]

Another government deflection from the major issue of cigarettes

[@gregshearer423]

So what about alcohol

[@guyclips.]

what’s giroud doing

[@TriforceLegacyOfficial]

Ban these vapes in the streets Sick of them

[@gummy_fresh1968]

I live in a small village, we have 3 vaping shops.........what is this 🤡 world.

[@antony9384]

Why does he keep calling them young people

[@eliasmonshyzadah]

are they old?

[@mcoofannoyingperson7069]

Because they are children, young people

[@peterivory2037]

show the kids where the wholesalers of vapes live,they have better furniture than you,better cars,nicer houses and their kids go to public schools😂😂😂😂

[@flowerchild8450]

A walking hall monitor

[@scotlandthebrave334]

Ban the vapes immediately.

[@miaclarke6859]

No. Vaping is good for the economy. It’s a multi billion pound industry.

[@Goodgirl427]

Nooo

[@ClownnZone]

They can keep talking about it installing vape alarms, take the vapes away, ban it, police it etc... however we all need to be honest, if kids vape or smoke they are still going to continue to do it, I am 24, I was a teenager not long ago, teen boys are sneaky and mischievous (including me when I was that age not so long ago) we all find ways to do these things, we have to be real about it.

[@Rani78660]

The 2 girls probably vape themselves 😂

[@dwcallum]

Head girls don’t tend to smoke or vape they’re usually goodie too shoes

[@Rani78660]

@@dwcallum nah u nvr know

[@jpgaming4243]

It would be a nice if there was thc in them😂

[@fuzzy21uk]

LETS BAN ALCOHOL TOO THEN

[@ghdbsbshsbsbsbsb9289]

Bit different bud

[@mcoofannoyingperson7069]

They are banning disposable vapes because it’s a pandemic in kids atm, alcohol is a lot diffrent and harder for kids to get a hold of

[@fin720s]

So a smoke alarm??

[@Misterperspective]

He’s right that they are victim of the society they’ve been raised in however they also need to be punished.

[@nannaa125]

Yr 11s can vape though beacsuse theyre 16

[@miaclarke6859]

You have to be 18 to buy vapes and cigs mate. Not 16 anymore

[@lats97]

I think it’s appealing when I see kids vapping for some reason it looks worst than smoking for me I can’t believe parents allow it I’m 26 and I’ve never tried smoking or vapping and I never will

[@Spica1000]

So, he’s installed monitors and alarms in school girls toilets?………….

[@gregshearer423]

They basically put a smoke detector in the toilets and a camera outside pointed at the door alarm goes off check the camera to see who walked out go and accuse them of vaping

[@joeutm212]

Everyone used to smoke instead but that was never a nation wide problem because they were making the government money where as unregulated vapes are not

[@sasproductions701]

maybe its just me but it will never stop the situation. im 37 now and over 5 years ago i seen school kids in like year 7 age 12-13 smoking. so it will never ever stop. because i did it when i was same age. they dont want u to mature up quicker. so they make u act childish till ur 21 and allowed to drink in america where as in england were 18. whos the retards now?

[@ml14lawesomeness]

Sounds like a prison camp that school

[@HUYI1]

This government overall feels like a prison tbh

[@evanslater4551]

Why?

[@js0826]

the girls both got a 9k in their pockets

[@diman2842]

Greedy adults in shops selling them at massive profit to kids in their school uniform.

[@_XYZ__]

Ain’t nothing wrong with THC or CBD vapes

[@miaclarke6859]

I mean thc is illegal but nothing wrong with cbd

[@harryturner8701]

What a bunch of squares

[@Stallzyx]

This is good but it's also true for late teens and people in their twenties and beyond to be honest. We don't know the long term effects and it's a choice of whether you want to take the risk. At least at adult age your organs are more developed and also the responsibility is fully on yourself to do this, but you also have to respect family wishes if you share spaces with them etc. Personally I'm 25 and never touched one even though it does look quite interesting visually but I'd rather not take the risk to my own body. Some of the flavours are a bit cringe to smell to be honest but it's better than tobacco for a smoker trying to quit

[@Dan-pv7cu]

They didn’t/don’t know the long term effects of the covid vaccines but they were still happy to dish those out to the youngsters 🙃

[@melaniemorgan6344]

Vaping a slight step up from (anti-social) cigarettes, but we still need to look at it, in terms of why certain people feel they need it?

[@miaclarke6859]

I started vaping at 16. I did it cause I had mates who were 18/19 vaping. I did it just with them at first to fit in easier with them. Then I dropped them and can’t stop because it’s an addiction

[@poppycock31185]

I grew up around adults who smoked but had absolutely zero interest in cigarettes throughout my childhood. Parents and society have caused kids today to grow up way too fast. Young people are exposed to way too much much too young(Specials pun intended)