For the first time, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes, including millions of adolescents. Even though adults make up most users globally, the relative risk for adolescents is dramatically higher in most countries, signaling a critical public health concern.
Although often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking, e-cigarettes emit fine particulate matter, harmful volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as nicotine and metal particles originating from heating elements and e-liquids. These emissions deeply penetrate the lungs, causing short-term effects such as asthma exacerbation, airway inflammation, and reduced pulmonary function.
Offices, public spaces, schools, healthcare facilities, and hospitality venues, face health and comfort challenges from undetected vaping activity, impacting both health and comfort. Health risks and regulatory pressure make vape detection essential, yet traditional methods such as cameras or microphones cannot be used due to privacy, cybersecurity or regulatory constraints. This is where environmental sensing becomes critical, enabling accurate vape detection without relying on intrusive monitoring.
