Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Deputy Erin McGreehan has welcomed the decision to classify Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, calling it an important step in protecting young people. She has also renewed her call for stronger regulation of vaping products, an issue she has repeatedly raised in the Dáil.
Deputy McGreehan said, “Banning HHC is a big win for young people and their families. HHC was being sold in vapes and even in sweets, products that were clearly aimed at teenagers. It is dangerous, it is addictive and it has no place in our communities. This move shows what can be achieved when we put our young people’s wellbeing first.”
She added, “I have been pushing for this for quite some time, through parliamentary questions and in the media. This is a really important step, but now we need to tackle the vaping epidemic and move ahead with legislation on flavours and other measures that will protect our young people.”
Turning her focus to vaping, Deputy McGreehan said, “This is only the beginning of what we are working towards in government. I am determined to work with my colleagues to deliver tighter regulations on vapes. Right now, they come in colourful packaging, with sweet flavours and even devices that look like toys. We already have a ban on sales to under 18s and restrictions on advertising, but we need to go further. The new proposals to ban disposable vapes, limit flavours and stop the blatant targeting of young people are exactly the kind of measures we need to push through.”
Deputy McGreehan also thanked her colleagues for their work on HHC:, “I want to thank the Minister for Health and my Fianna Fáil colleagues Ministers Jennifer Murnane O’Connor and Mary Butler for their work on this issue. It is an important step, but the next challenge is tackling vaping before more young people become addicted.”
She concluded, “I will continue to raise this in the Dáil. We cannot allow another generation to be drawn into addiction.”
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
