E-cigarette environmental and fire/life safety risks in schools reported by secondary school teachers

Abstract

Background: To identify if e-cigarette usage is an on-campus problem for secondary schools and evaluate initial school survey responses. More specifically, this survey can aid in identifying where students are seen using ecigarettes, if smoke alarms have been newly inserted on school property, if smoke alarms have been tampered with to allow for vaping without detection; and, if any e-cigarette fires or explosions have occurred on school property. Methods: This survey, disseminated to New Jersey secondary school teachers across seven sessions January-July 2019, resulted in 104 complete responses of 109 respondents. The survey was conducted after fire prevention, exit/ egress, and life safety portions of "OSHA 10 Plus for General Industry" courses. Survey questions included number of times teachers observed students vaping and location where vaping in last 12 months, fire alarm installation and tampering, and fires or explosions and injuries from vaping/e-cigarette devices. Results: Many (63%) respondents reported very or moderately common rates of vaping within their schools; however, three of four questions regarding school fire and smoke alarm use specifically to detect vaping had a majority of unsure/I don't know responses. Conclusion: Results suggested concerns regarding student vaping and e-cigarette use inside and outside secondary schools. Improved school detection and response are warranted. Trial registration: Not applicable.

School staff perceptions of the nature and consequences of students’ use of e‐cigarettes

“…: 12 and nine response options, respectively 19 ); times (“At your school, at what time of day do students vape?”) and locations (“In which areas of your school do students vape?” 12,19,23 ) at which students vape at school; methods by which students access e‐cigarettes (“Where, or from whom, do you think your students obtain their e‐cigarettes/vaping devices? : 16 response options 24 ); and the existence and nature of school policies relating to e‐cigarettes (“Is vaping prevention a topic taught in your school?” and “Does your school have a vaping policy?”: ‘Yes’, ‘No’, and ‘I don't know’ response options). Where available, survey items were sourced from previous questionnaires while others were developed specifically for this study in consultation with experts from a range of government and non‐government organisations to ensure the results would be useful for school administrators, policy makers and health advocacy groups.…”

“…12,19,23 ) at which students vape at school; methods by which students access e-cigarettes ("Where, or from whom, do you think your students obtain their e-cigarettes/vaping devices? : 16 response options 24 ); and the existence and nature of school policies relating to e-cigarettes ("Is vaping prevention a topic taught in your school?" and "Does your school have a vaping policy?…”

Educators’ perceptions of e-cigarettes in Australian secondary schools

“…Secondary schools are a setting in which e-cigarette use among students has increased significantly in the last decade, especially in countries such as the US and the UK [5][6][7] . Results from studies conducted in the US suggest on-campus use of e-cigarettes is common [8][9][10] , with most educators considering use on school grounds to be a problem and expressing concerns 11,12 . Research assessing Australian educators' perceptions of e-cigarette use in secondary schools is limited, with just one study published to date 13 .…”