Head shops face threat of lawsuits but won’t be closed

And planning laws may be tightened up to give county councils more of a say in whether the controversial shops can open.

Drugs Minister John Curran told the Irish Independent he hoped new laws would enable head shops to be sued for selling goods advertised as items such as bath salts that are dangerous when used as a drug.

If someone's health is affected by using a falsely advertised product, they will be able to claim damages.

Mr Curran said closing head shops was not the answer and banning substances, as would be done in the coming weeks, would not solve all the problems -- because more legal substances would crop up.

Plans for banning substances such as mephedrone, synthetic cannabinoids, which are sold as 'Spice', and BZPs are expected to be approved by Cabinet next week. But the ban will not come in for another three months, pending EU approval.

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Source: Fiach Kelly, The Irish Independent, 03/03/2010