Gangs could use vapes to push 'life-threatening' synthetic opioids into drugs market, EU warns

The EU Drugs Agency report also found that cocaine now accounts for over 50% of all new treatment cases in Ireland

The EU Drugs Agency (Euda) report said: 'Vapes containing other substances, such as synthetic and semi-synthetic forms of cannabis, have been seized in EU member states, raising concerns that they may become a vehicle for other harmful substances, potentially including new synthetic opioids.'

Vapes could be used by gangs to push synthetic opioids — considered particularly dangerous chemicals — into the drugs market, EU experts are warning.

Ireland and other European countries have already found synthetic forms of cannabis in vapes, which have caused severe poisonings among children.

The EU Drugs Agency (Euda) is now concerned at a deeper threat to young people, including children, given the widespread popularity of vaping among youths.

Including Irish data from the Health Research Board, the Euda European Drug Report 2026 also found:

• Cocaine use among 15- to 34-year-olds in Ireland in the last year (5% of this age group) is second highest after Netherlands in the EU (5.3%) and almost twice the EU average (2.6%);
• Cocaine now accounts for over 50% of all new treatment cases in Ireland, compared to 25% across 20 EU countries that have data;
• Cocaine is linked to 33.5% of poisoning deaths in Ireland, compared to 27% in the 20 EU member states;
• Cocaine production in South America is at “an all-time high” although the quantity seized in Europe is down, mainly at the major ports because of greater security, with cartels using smaller ports, ‘narco-submarines’ and drones, to bypass authorities;
• Overproduction, lower prices and strong competition in the legal cannabis markets in North America have led to a “surplus of cheaper, higher-potency” cannabis products in Europe;
• There is “growing evidence” of young people recruited into drug gangs, with a “particular concern” in many EU countries of young people being used to inflict violence, including assaults and homicide.

The Euda report said that synthetic chemicals known as new psychoactive substances (NPS) are being detected at a rate of “one a week” — with 50 NPS reported for the first time in 2025. This brings the total number of NPS to 1,050.

“Among these are potent new synthetic opioids, which pose an increased risk of life-threatening poisoning,” the report said.

“Vaping or e-cigarette use, involving nicotine-containing products, is now a common feature of substance use among adolescents in Europe. 

"Vapes containing other substances, such as synthetic and semi-synthetic forms of cannabis, have been seized in EU member states, raising concerns that they may become a vehicle for other harmful substances, potentially including new synthetic opioids.” 

It added: 

New synthetic opioids are often highly potent, posing an increased risk of life‑threatening poisoning.

The report said that synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids are also being found in cannabis edibles, such as jellies, which are typically sold in brightly coloured sweet-like packets.

It said vapes and cannabis edibles containing these chemicals pose a “public health concern” as they may attract “new, possibly younger” consumers.

• Cormac O'Keeffe is security correspondent for the Irish Examiner