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A blanket ban has been introduced on the production, distribution, sale and supply of new psychoactive substances, which are more commonly known as 'legal highs'.

The chemicals are designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis and were linked to more than 100 deaths in the UK last year. Under the Psychoactive Substances Act, offenders could face up to a seven-year sentence.

Welcoming the ban, Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief scientist Professor Jayne Lawrence, said: €Now they are outlawed, the spurious term 'legal high' will no longer give a badge of legitimacy to them or to those who sell them.€ But she cautioned that some people would continue to buy them regardless of the change in the law, adding: €What's needed is better education and awareness around these chemicals, combined with accessible treatment and recovery services in order to reduce their use and the harm they cause.€