2678. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the growing use of HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) vapes, a synthetic cannabinoid product, among young people; if the new Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2025 will contain provisions to curtail this trend; and if not, if she will produce separate legislation on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41325/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health:

The Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will seek to further regulate nicotine inhaling products to reduce their use among young people, through restrictions on flavours, appearance and packaging, point of sale display and advertising, and a prohibition on single use vapes. The Bill will not regulate the synthetic cannabinoid Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).

In the coming weeks the Government will be adding HHC to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations as a Schedule 1 controlled drug, the strictest level of control under which possession for personal use or sale and supply are offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

I am fully satisfied that subjecting HHC to control measures is in the best interest of preserving public health.