The image of colourful, vapour-filled products in the hands of young children and teenagers has long been a concern for health officials and policymakers.
But the news on Wednesday that many of these legally obtained items contain dangerous, potent and illegal drugs is further evidence of the need for a clampdown on their use.
The Emerging Drug Trends team at the Health Service Executive (HSE) analysed 76 vapes, vape juices and edibles this year – and the results paint a difficult picture.
Some 28 contained hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) or related compounds such as semi-synthetic cannabinoids; eight contained potent synthetic cannabinoids, while 10 had an acetate-containing compound linked to lung disease.
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A dozen had cannabis or related compounds, while 41 contained cannabidiol (CBD).
The scariest part of it all? Many of these items are advertised, marketed and sold as containing only legal ingredients.
Steps have been taken to clamp down on the use of such items, particularly among children and young people.
Until July 2025, HHC was a legal drug. The semi-synthetic cannabinoid is chemically like THC, the main psychoactive substance found in cannabis that produces a “high”.
The law in this area was changed last year in response to psychiatric and addiction concerns by the HSE and professional bodies.
Following this, HHC is now treated in the same way as more familiar illegal drugs such as cannabis, carrying penalties for possession and supply.
A new law which will see a ban on flavoured vapes and limits on the colours used in packaging is also working its way through the legislative process. The hope is to make them less attractive to young people.
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But why, exactly, are health officials so concerned about these findings? The substances are linked to “serious physical and mental-health harms” including psychosis, loss of consciousness and severe intoxication.
A study from University Hospital Galway revealed that HHC was tied to a significant number of first-time psychosis and hospital admissions, particularly among young men.
Synthetic cannabinoids, often known as “spice”, are made in a lab to mimic the effects of cannabis, but have far more potent effects. .
The effects of synthetic cannabinoid use can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, seizures, hallucinations, kidney problems and others that can also lead to medical emergencies.
Semi-synthetic cannabinoids are believed to be equally dangerous, though there is limited available information on the health risks from consuming them.
According to Nikki Killeen, HSE emerging drug trends project manager, acetates, a specific chemical causing lung damage, were also found in the products.
While no such damage has yet been identified, she said the fact the chemical is present is “a risk”.
Health officials acknowledge it is difficult to quantify the impact of these products due to the fact that many of their users don’t know what it is they’re consuming.
As a result, if they are hospitalised, many of them state they have consumed cannabis – making data-collection more difficult.
In the aftermath of the criminalisation of HHC, Prof Eamon Keenan, clinical lead for addiction services in the HSE, said there was a drop-off in the number of young people presenting to addiction services in connection with this product.
Anecdotally however, he said, services have reported a rise in such presentations in recent months.
Legislation is clearly not sufficient to address the issue then.
The HSE has called for a stakeholder group to be established, suggesting the need to address a key regulatory gap in the management of these products.
Until someone takes ownership of regulating these items, many more children and young people run the risk of consuming a substance unaware of how detrimental an impact it could have on their health.
