Smoking and vaping have become a large addiction, destroying the mental and physical

well-being of an individual. Even in restricted areas, there are people still smoking and vaping,
even if told to go away. Taking care of this factor is necessary to maintain a healthy overall well-
being; however, the effective monitoring of people smoking and vaping has become an
increasing problem, because we lack monitoring devices. Smoking causes numerous diseases,
specifically, lung cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is currently a major healthcare concern that affects millions of
people worldwide, in a recent study conducted by the DOH. (2023), they were able to estimate
that approximately 19% in 2021 to 24.4% among adults from the age groups 20 to 59 have mild
to severe use of tobacco. These concerning figures express how smoking and vaping affect
one’s health severely.
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The public health and people's overall quality of life are significantly affected by the
rising number of people smoking. Individuals suffering from nicotine addiction often experience
disrupted sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating,
anxiety, irritability, and depression, which impact both personal and professional domains. Due
to this, the government struggles to find a monitoring tool that is feasible for observing their
actions. Using the creativity of robotics, we can develop monitoring systems to solve problems
related to smoking and vaping.
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Several laws and Republic Acts have been enacted to regulate smoking and vaping,
particularly in public and restricted areas. One of the key legislations is Republic Act No. 9211,
also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which prohibits smoking in public places,
including schools, hospitals, government buildings, and public transport terminals. In addition,
Executive Order No. 26, signed in 2017, established a nationwide smoking ban in enclosed
public spaces and designated outdoor areas, strengthening enforcement through local
government units. More recently, Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-
Nicotine Products Regulation Act, was passed to regulate the use, sale, and advertising of e-
cigarettes and vapes, especially restricting access to minors and banning use in certain public
areas. These laws aim to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke
and vapor while discouraging youth from engaging in these harmful habits. Strict enforcement
of these laws is essential in promoting public health and maintaining safe, smoke-free
environments across the country.
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We researchers, with the help of robotics technology, have developed a monitoring
system capable of identifying cigarette and vape smoke, with high-accuracy sensors, reducing
the people sneaking into restricted areas to smoke. This system accurately monitors no-smoking
areas to prevent smoking.
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With its advanced features and specifications, the innovative device and app system
revolutionize the monitoring. Fundamentally, the system combines a device and Android
applications with a web server, which provides real-time data processing capabilities with a
network of sophisticated sensors. At the heart of the system is the Raspberry Pi 5, which acts as
a micro web server, facilitating the seamless integration of robotics technology, enabling real-
time communication between all components. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi 5 is a powerful
single-board computer released in 2023, featuring a quad-core processor, up to 8GB of RAM,
USB 3.0, dual 4K HDMI outputs, and is ideal for advanced DIY projects, real-time monitoring
systems, and even AI-powered CCTV applications.
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Together, these parts monitor restricted areas for people smoking or vaping while
sending data to the application. By utilizing a camera and sensors, the system attains
unmatched precision in identifying the cigarette and vape smoke in areas where the cameras are
placed. This system is unique in that it seamlessly integrates robotics technology, enabling real-
time monitoring between the device and application. The user interface and central database
are updated promptly with data gathered by the sensors through wireless connectivity.
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Recognizing that prevention is better than a cure, the researchers were motivated by the
pressing need to address the growing global problems caused by smoking and vaping. Also
linked to different severe health complications, which include lung cancer, ischemic heart
disease (IHD), stroke, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), smoking can become
a severe addiction that affects individuals. This makes the researchers keenly aware of the
urgency for effective monitoring solutions. With the understanding that early detection and
intervention could significantly mitigate these risks, the development of a system and device
that provides real-time insights into smoking and vaping health will be undeniable.
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The research project, an android-based and app system *(name of application) *, is an
effective apparatus for monitoring individuals' smoking in restricted areas. While this device may
sense car exhaust, it offers users a valuable tool for advanced observation of smoking. By
utilizing this device, school officials can gain insights into their students' behavior before
incurring substantial costs associated with smoking problems. The monitoring system comprises
various sensors and modules that work together to monitor the use of smoking devices, like
cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vapes. The system consists of five main components: a device
that consists of a camera, various modules, and a Raspberry Pi 5. Together, these components
provide real-time monitoring data, enhancing the ability to manage and address smoking
effectively.
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 Although there are smoke monitoring systems out there, none of them incorporate
robotics and android-based technology with real-time data monitoring through the *(name of
the application) * for monitoring the presence of smoking in restricted areas like our does.
Furthermore, the Raspberry Pi 5 is a crucial component of this project for the interference of
sensors without the need for an external network.
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Moreover, there is currently no smoking or vaping monitoring device that accurately
determines the activity through an application, especially one that uses a Raspberry Pi for
analysis. Most cigarette or vape smoke monitoring device focuses on general smoking activities
rather than specific activities in an area.
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This innovative system seeks to revolutionize the way individuals interact with their
health by delivering real-time smoking activity monitoring. By allowing users to monitor the area
where the camera is placed, the project not only raises knowledge about smoking in a specific
area. But also, this invention is a major step towards preventing smoking in restricted areas.