How can you be sure what’s inside your teen’s vape? The brightly-coloured gadgets sold online and on every high street can contain a dangerous substance, that can trigger a devastating long lasting side effect…
An investigation highlights concerns that vapes sold openly in Irish shops and online may contain illegal or poorly labelled cannabinoids, including HHC, which has been linked to severe psychosis. It matters because teenagers may assume products sold on the high street are regulated and safe, despite uncertainty over their contents and potential long-term health effects.
HHC became a controlled drug in Ireland on 29 July 2025, but a 2026 HSE laboratory analysis of 76 vapes and liquids found 28 containing HHC or related semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Other samples contained synthetic cannabinoids, cannabis compounds or chemicals associated with lung concerns, sometimes in combination; school leaders report incidents involving pupils with rapid heart rates and breathing difficulties.
- Many Irish vapes may contain undisclosed, harmful cannabinoids.
- HHC remains detectable despite becoming an illegal controlled drug.
- Teenagers may mistake openly sold products for safe ones.
New here? Start with this
Vapes heat a liquid to create an aerosol that users breathe in. Some liquids contain nicotine, while others are marketed as cannabis products; the ingredients and strength can vary between products, and labels may not clearly describe what is inside.
HHC is a cannabis-like substance made by chemically altering compounds found in cannabis. In Ireland it became a controlled drug in July 2025, meaning its possession and supply are restricted under drug laws.
The HSE is Ireland’s public health service, and its laboratory has tested vape products for their contents. The findings matter because teenagers may encounter these products in shops or online without knowing what they contain, and the effects of some substances may include serious health problems.