Taoiseach hopes all head shops will close

The Taoiseach has said the Government is hoping headshops will close their doors permanently after a ban on products came into force.

Brian Cowen today signed an order banning the so-called "legal highs" after European approval came into force a month earlier than expected.

Anyone found in posession of the substances faces up to seven years in jail, with a life term for anyone supplying them.

The Cabinet has also approved drafting legislation to outlaw headshops from selling any psychoactive substance, banned or not.

The Taoiseach said he hoped headshops would go out of business.