THE sale of 'legal highs' is to be banned as part of a government crackdown on the substances following a campaign by a Barnsley MP.
A blanket ban on the sale of 'new psychoactive substances', which are sold as bath salts or plant food, will be introduced early next year and comes after a review ordered by the Home Office.
It had been pressed for by Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, who campaigned for the outlawing of the substances which have similar effects to illegal drugs, are designed to evade drug laws and are sold openly in high street stores and over the internet.
Mr Jarvis has been involved since he received complaints about the Smokey Sam's shop, which was originally on the Arcade in the town centre.It moved to Sheffield Road amid complaints from traders and police about youths taking legal highs and becoming ill in Mandela Garden.
He said: "People think because they are legal, they are safe. But they are absolutely not. They will all be banned. For one to be legal, a special cause would have to be made justifying why you should be allowed to buy it.
"I don't think it will mean Smokey Sam's will have to close because it sells all kinds of other paraphernalia, and there will be nothing to stop it selling that. But hopefully they will be stopped from selling the consumables."
