Vape usage in the United States remains consistent. However, the popularity within the nation is more widespread than we may think.

It is widely known that vaping is a popular activity in the United States, but have you ever thought about the usage of e-cigarettes around the world in other countries? The action is practiced by a range of individuals, ranging from middle school-aged children to adults. It is seen by many schools and facilities across the U.S. that vaping is a continuous issue, and representatives are actively searching for ways to deter their students, employees, and citizens from partaking.

Since we hear news about vaping in America, you may be wondering what the statistics are in other countries, and how they can compare to the U.S.

Vaping Statistics and E-Cigarette Use by Country  

Italy

According to the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, 721,900 people participate in vaping in Italy. That is a small fraction in comparison to just the United States’ youth vaper population. Vaping in Italy is legal, however, there are various restrictions in place in order for it to stay regulated. For example, no one under the age of 18 can purchase any type of electronic tobacco device, and the devices cannot be sold without displaying proper information about the contents.

China

Similar to Italy, China legalized vaping and e-cigarette use. More commonly outside of mainland China, there are individual restrictions based on the city, including non-smoking and non-vaping areas, and forbid sales. Comparing the amounts of people who vape in China to the U.S., China is at 5.7 million while the United States is at 9.8 million.

South Africa

In South Africa, the regulations of e-cigarettes are based on whether or not they are used for medicinal purposes. If the devices are not advertised as medical products, then they are not regulated.

Greece

The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction states that there are approximately 185,600 individuals that vape in Greece. That is around 2% of the number of vapers in the United States. While the U.S. placed age restrictions and requirements to state any package contents and warnings, Greece does not have any specified regulations in place.

Additional Facts

While there are a variety of countries that legalize the use and sale of e-cigarettes, there are many that prohibit other factors involved. India and Mexico are a few places that do not allow their citizens to participate in selling, marketing, or producing e-cigarettes. Many other countries have their own specific rules in place regarding what is and is not allowed when it comes to types and uses of e-cigarettes.

Vape Detectors

Vape detection devices are becoming increasingly prevalent in non-smoking areas in order to combat the youth vaping epidemic. While they are mostly known in the United States, they are growing in popularity around the world. Learn more about deterring vaping in your organization with the ICAS Vape Detection Solution.

The Bottom Line

It is important to recognize that vaping is evident in nearly every country. Although it serves with the intention of diminishing the use of traditional cigarettes and tobacco products, vapes are being used widely for recreational purposes. As more data is collected, it will become easier to see if there are any streamlined regulations and rules throughout surrounding cities, countries, or even continents.

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Although vaping may seem less dangerous than smoking, it presents a whole array of other risks.  

An e-cigarette, also known as a vape as stated by the CDC, is an electronic device in which users breathe out harmful chemicals, substances, and a vapor-like liquid. Over the past few years, many smokers have transitioned to vaping. However, many non-smokers have also joined the vaping epidemic, and they may be unaware of the potential risks and side-effects.

Here are 5 facts about vaping that you might not know:

1. Vape still contains nicotine

If you’ve been vaping for quite some time, then this one may come as a shock: e-cigarettes often contain nicotine, according to Truth Initiative.  That’s right – despite the common belief that vapes do not contain harmful substances, many of them actually contain the same harmful chemical found in regular cigarettes.

What is more worrying is that some brands that advertise their e-cigarettes to contain no nicotine actually contain small amounts of the harmful substance. Why is this important? For starters, nicotine is highly addictive, dangerous, and the health consequences have been linked to cancer, heart issues, various dental problems, and other issues.

2. Vaping is harmful to your heart and lungs 

Vaping is also harmful to your heart and lungs, just like smoking. As mentioned by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the nicotine found in an e-cigarette causes your blood pressure and adrenaline to spike. The result? An increased risk of a heart attack and other heart-related problems.

Going forward from this, as the research surrounding vaping is so premature, the real side effects of vaping and the chemicals contained within the vape are still unknown.

3. Your brain development and function is affected 

If damage to your heart and lungs is not enough, vaping also affects your brain development and function, as stated by Kids Health. For example, someone who vapes may find it more difficult to concentrate.

However, more notably, children and adolescents who vape may slow their brain development. This may result in rapid mood changes and the inability to control your impulses as an adult.

Scary, right?

4. Vaping can lead to future tobacco use 

Vaping during a young age, generally teens, increases the likelihood of those individuals to smoke tobacco in adulthood, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The negative health effects associated with vaping will carry out, or even worsen, in the future if tobacco use begins. The best practice is to cut out the habit before it turns into an uncontrollable issue.

5. Addiction can be formed

Vape detectors are becoming more and more popular in schools and similar environments. These small devices can be placed in areas that are difficult to monitor, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.

The vape detector can sense when a user is smoking or vaping, sending an immediate, location-specific alert to a member of staff or school official.

This intervention is becoming widespread in an attempt to protect the health of children, and further ward off vaping for good.

The Bottom Line

Over the last few years, the number of vape users has skyrocketed. Although e-cigarettes were supposed to be a “healthier” alternative to smoking, it turns out that effects and consequences may be just as harsh.

What’s worse is the lack of research – who knows, vaping may one day be more harmful than traditional cigarettes.

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Everything you need to know about the latest widespread problem facing Schools now in the United States.  

Vaping has become the latest trend over the last few years in our Schools. If you do not already know, vaping is also known as E-cigarettes which are handheld devices. How Vapes work is that they heat the liquid up and create a cloud of smoke that the students ingest. Often, nicotine is included within the Vape which causes a highly addictive substance that is also found in tobacco.  

However, why are we discussing vaping? With the surge in popularity, this has subsequently led to more and more High School student’s vaping, not only out of school grounds but also within school grounds. Far too often vaping goes undetected especially in comparison to a regular cigarette.  

Vaping has become the latest trend over the last few years in our Schools. If you do not already know, vaping is also known as E-cigarettes which are handheld devices. How Vapes work is that they heat the liquid up and create a cloud of smoke that the students ingest. Often, nicotine is included within the Vape which causes a highly addictive substance that is also found in tobacco.  

What can we do to stop vaping in schools across the United States? This article will discuss on how to stop vaping in schools, why vaping is a problem, and how real-time solutions will help stop widespread problems.  

Why is Vaping bad?  

After years of successful interventions on targeting smoking, statistics were finally down with fewer people and younger people smoking. However, the introduction of vaping has accelerated these numbers. It should be pointed out that vaping has not been seen as safe, in fact, quite the opposite, it can be just as dangerous as smoking a cigarette.

Arguably, vapes that contain nicotine are worse than other vapes, mainly as this is an addictive substance with notable and well-documented side effects. Vaping is especially bad for students because it can negatively impact their health, which can lead to health issues in the future and perhaps causing peer pressure for others to vape. Vapes have also been known to explode and cause damage to those vaping.

It goes without saying that vaping in schools must stop and schools should be protecting the Students and encouraging healthy behaviors and habits, and eliminate the addictive and destructive ones that occur with vaping.

How to stop vaping in schools.

The million-dollar question is how do you stop vaping in schools?  First, schools can provide proper education on how vaping is dangerous, choosing the route of education to steer students’ attitudes in the right direction. Second, schools can begin training staff on how to recognize vaping and enable action to remove vaping from within the Schools.  

Lastly, you can also invest in a vape detection system, such as the ICAS real-time vape detector. This detector can be installed across school grounds and it is especially useful in areas cameras cannot be installed, such as bathrooms and locker rooms. 

How does it work? The ICAS real-time vape detector works by detecting abnormalities in the chemical composition in a room. These changes in chemicals include the use of vapes, sending feedback to a dashboard in which teachers and other staff members monitor. Furthermore, bullying is detected by loud noises and other abnormal sounds, indicative of student bullying. 

To prevent vaping in schools, we recommend educating students on the dangers of vaping and smoking, educating staff on how to spot vaping, and installing a vape detection system, such as the ICAS vape detector.

To find out more about the ICAS real-time vape detector, click here.

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Renewable energy is energy collected from sustainable sources, such as sunlight, wind, wave power, or heat. These energy sources are then converted into electricity to be used for day-to-day activities, such as powering offices, homes, and cities.

It goes without saying that renewable energy is important. Without it, we would struggle to power anything or generate electricity. Out of all the energy sources available, renewable energy technologies are superior, as these are naturally replaced and replenished, providing unlimited and often free electricity and power.

The remainder of this article will discuss renewable energy in more detail, including the role technology plays in this.

What technologies are available?

As previously mentioned, there are numerous renewable energy technologies out there. For example, these include solar power, wind power, wave power, and even energy storage systems.

The alternative to renewable energy technologies is fossil fuels. However, these can produce harmful side effects, whereas these other technologies produce minimal side effects and can be reproduced naturally.

In particular, solar energy uses technology to collect and store geothermal heat, with this heat then converted into energy for electricity. More and more homes across the United States and the globe are switching to solar panels, resulting in reducing energy costs and becoming self-sufficient.

What role does technology play?

New technology is constantly being developed to produce and store energy. For example, experts are currently working on new methods to trap heat, later re-using this for electricity. Moreover, new storage systems are also in the process of being developed, creating a more efficient method of storing energy, such as heat for later use and constructing a reserve and constant flow of electricity to those who need it. As these technologies develop, we can expect third-world countries to benefit, especially from the use of geothermal energy production and storage.

We also have the establishment of electric and hybrid vehicles. Although these do not produce energy, these vehicles are the future. Therefore, we need more efficient methods of creating and sustaining energy production, thus reducing the carbon footprint of traditional motor vehicles and the associated pollution.

In the coming years, we can expect energy production and storage to take priority, especially as our motor vehicles will be running on high voltage sources, alongside our homes and other technology.

The bottom line

There are currently several popular and widely used renewable energy sources available. However, more and more technologies are constantly being developed, including new methods of trapping and storing heat, battery farms, and more.

When it comes to renewable energy technologies, the best currently available include geothermal heat, wave power, and wind. The United States, in particular, is focusing on producing more wind farms and even battery farms to produce and store more electricity and energy. The future of energy production looks bright, and we can expect big things in the coming years.

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Some public-facing businesses and institutions are using body temperature kiosks to protect their workers, students, and the general public.
The world has changed drastically in just a few short months. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has left countless businesses, municipalities, and families uncertain and frightened of the pandemic’s path moving forward. The way communities gather, do business, or tend to basic human needs have been dramatically altered, and with no clear end in sight, adjustments in behavior and emerging technology are proving to be crucial in the recovery process.

With the COVID-19 virus often being transmitted quietly through asymptomatic individuals, those who are working or visiting public spaces present an elevated risk to the general public and other essential workers. Many institutions and businesses, including ICAS, are employing the use of cutting-edge thermal scanning technology to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 through close monitoring of body temperature

Protecting the Public While Protecting Their Staff

Data has shown us that many individuals carrying the COVID-19 virus are completely unaware they are infected, leading to the potential spread of infection to others. An elevated temperature, which is a main symptom of COVID-19, can help identify possible infection in any individual before entering a building. As companies and facilities begin reopening and phasing the way back into society, they are turning to thermal scanning and body temperature kiosks to preemptively detect individuals who are unknowingly presenting a fever.
The non-invasive and contactless body thermal scanners and body temperature kiosks are able to efficiently detect temperature immediately. The devices can be installed indoors or outdoors and positioned at the entrance of the facility. Once the body is scanned, the screen will alert the individual with a green or red signal, ultimately determining whether or not entry is permitted. Reducing the spread of the virus and protecting essential workers, businesses, visitors, and institutions from infection is crucial in the continued well-being and advancement of our communities.

School Security: How Will Schools Reopen?

Public and private institutions around the United States are deciphering the safest way to administer education in the fall. Guidelines from the CDC require social distancing and wearing face masks, so the implementation of temperature checking in schools can ensure a safer environment for students and faculty. The thermal scanning and body temperature kiosk, along with many other precautions and practices, may aid in the reopening of institutions so children can return to face-to-face classroom time.

The Bottom Line

Body temperature kiosks and thermal scanning are consistently being integrated into public-facing facilities to promote the safety and health of each patron.  To learn more about purchasing and installing a body temperature kiosk for your public space or institution, contact ICAS today.  Our team of experienced cabling and security experts services Tri-State Area (NY, CT, NJ), Long Island, and Florida.  Together, we can slow the spread and ICAS can provide technology to help get back to life as we knew it.

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The COVID-19 Pandemic has forced the majority of schools worldwide to close, especially those in the most infected areas such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and Spain.

Schools were one of the first Public Sectors to close in many Countries as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic. This was essential to minimize the spread of the virus, due to it being a high-contact environment.

However, with the majority of schools not looking to return for at least the next few months, the Educational impact on students could be massive.

With that being said, Technology is once again stepping up – here’s how Technology is helping schools during COVID-19. 

Remote learning

Technology is primarily being used in the form of remote learning both for Schools and Universities all over the world.

Some essential classes are still behind held, with these taking place online on platforms such as Zoom.

Zoom is an online meeting platform for students and teachers to connect via a webcam. This allows students to continue essential studies, especially those needing further credit to finish College or High School. 

Online PE Lessons

There’s only so much a parent can teach at home, especially while balancing their full-time jobs – one of the most difficult subjects to continue with is PE.

However, luckily due to technology many PE classes have been hosted online with students able to join in remotely. For example, in the U.K, Joe Wicks, a health and fitness coach hosts “PE with Joe Wicks” every day for students.

This is a great release of stress in these unprecedented times while also ensuring the students get in their daily exercise – heck, you may want to join in yourself!

Free Online Resources

As well as Remote Learning taking place, the development of online resources has been massive.

Online Resources have been developed both from Teachers and other Professionals in their respective fields, ensuring that students don’t miss out on valuable education – especially since we are currently unsure how long this Pandemic will last.

For those in much more rural areas, the use of Radio and Television broadcasting has also been used to ensure students are receiving some form of education each day – even if just for an hour.

Protecting the Education System and ensuring students have access to learning is important all of the time, but especially now during this unprecedented time.

The Bottom Line

The Coronavirus has resulted in many Countries going into lockdown and enforcing social distancing rules.

Inevitably, this has resulted in Schools closing as well as other establishments. However, with education being paramount, especially during these tough times technology has stepped up and supported the educational system massively.

For example, remote learning is taking place all over the globe, access to online resources has been made available to all students, and even PE classes have been hosted online from some famous celebrities.

School Security Solution

ICAS is now assisting schools to understand how to create a healthy and safe environment by understanding the challenges, implementing policies, and assuring a successful solution customized for your school can be implemented and secured.

For more information, please click here.

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