1585. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if she will ban the use of hexahydrocannabinol vapes in Ireland; the timeline for the ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30333/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: It is intended that shortly HHC will be added to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations as a Schedule 1 controlled drugs.

The focus of policy and action in relation to vapes containing nicotine is to reduce uptake by children and young people. The Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill, which is currently being drafted, will contain a range of measures to reduce the appeal of nicotine inhaling products to young people. This includes:

• a ban on point-of-sale display and advertising of these products in most shops
• restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine inhaling products and their packaging
• a ban on devices resembling toys or games
• restrictions on flavours for sale and requirements for only basic flavour names to be used, and
• a prohibition on the sale of single-use vapes

Once completed, the draft legislation will require notification at EU level under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive 2015/1535) and the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU).

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1614 – Healthcare Policy [30523/25]

1614. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the regulations in place on HHC vapes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30523/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: Under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances ) Act 2010:

3.— (1) A person who sells a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who imports or exports a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.

HHC will shortly be added to the Misuse of Drugs Act Regulations 2017 as a Schedule 1 controlled drug, the strictest level of control where possession will be considered an offence

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 1615 – Healthcare Policy [30524/25]

1615. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the information campaigns available, specifically for young people, on HHC vapes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30524/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: It is expected that legislation will be brought to Government shortly and when it is complete, HHC will be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 as a Schedule 1 controlled drug and will be subject to all legal provisions that apply to a Schedule 1 controlled drug.

• When a new psychoactive substance emerges internationally, it is subjected to multi-layered analysis and risk assessment to determine whether a substance has medical/commercial/industrial uses and whether it poses a risk to public health.
• At the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in March this year a vote was taken to add HHC to the International Drug Conventions, which will be reflected in domestic legislation by the Department of Health.
• People are encouraged to follow HSE social media channels @drugsdotie for updates about drug trends, including synthetic cannabinoids such as HHC.
• The HSE also has factsheets available for parents on various the topic of related to cannabis and resources for parents who want to discuss the topic of substance use with their teens.