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Council approves $2 million in JUUL settlement funds for MCPS vaping prevention despite public skepticism about detectors
Summary
Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a $2 million supplemental appropriation from state JUUL settlement funds for MCPS vape-detection and prevention programs after a public critic said detectors are ineffective and that alternatives had not been examined.
Montgomery County Council voted unanimously on Oct. 8 to approve a $2,000,000 supplemental appropriation to Montgomery County Public Schools, funded by a state JUUL settlement, for vape detection and prevention initiatives.
The funding measure was presented in a public hearing format; Scott Weber, founder of the Vaping Awareness and Public Education Society, testified in opposition and urged the council to examine alternatives and the data behind the proposed vape-detection systems. Weber argued the detectors could be easily defeated, questioned their calibration and said he had not been able to obtain underlying reports and data. "The administration of it is absolutely nonsensical," Weber said, arguing that ventilation and device behavior limit system effectiveness.
After public testimony the council moved to approve the appropriation. The motion was moved by Councilmember Lucci and seconded by Councilmember Giwando. When members were called to indicate approval by raising their hands, the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous (11–0).
Council members did not record extended debate in the meeting transcript; the appropriation passed immediately following the public hearing. The council also approved an unrelated $1,000,000 federal grant for energy projects later in the session, also by unanimous vote.
