South Dakota school district puts vape sensors in bathrooms

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A southeastern South Dakota school district is installing vape sensors in bathrooms to combat students’ use of e-cigarettes that have been linked to hundreds of cases of lung disease nationwide.

The Dell Rapids School District is placing machines that will send silent messages to school officials when vaping chemicals are detected in middle and high school bathrooms.

The sensors cost the district less than $5,000.

Superintendent Summer Schultz says vaping on campus has long been an issue, and the district has revised its disciplinary policy for students caught in the act.

The South Dakota Legislature outlawed vapor devices in public areas effective July 1.

More than 500 people have been sickened and at least eight have die d of respiratory diseases linked to vaping.

AP-WF-09-24-19