Poppers for healthy living

Oct 12 2022.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am furious that Health Canada banned the sale of poppers back in 2013. I just can’t let this go.

Last week, I was buying a birthday card at Out on the Street and noticed a poster calling for people to join a petition. I was so excited. Finally, organized activism dedicated to fighting this stupid ban. I immediately contacted the group in charge, the Community-Based Research Centre, and spoke to Cameron Schwartz. 

“Prior to 2013, poppers were available for purchase in a grey area, sold as a room deodorizer or as leather cleaner,” said Schwartz. “Pulling them from retail wasn’t a legislation change, they just decided to enforce the removal of poppers from stores under the Food and Drug Act. What prompted the crackdown is unknown. We submitted a freedom of information request over two years ago and we have not received a response.” The petition in question is now closed, but the responses were sent to the Minister of Health in advance of the last federal election. “We got a bit of buzz and a statement from Erin O’Toole,” Schwartz told me. 

“So, how do we explain to a government official that poppers are what allow us to bottom?” I asked. What’s the plan moving forward? Schwartz and the CBRC have an idea. 

“Changing the legislation required to sell poppers legally would take too long. It might be easier if it required a prescription, or it could be like Advil, which is regulated and marketed as a health product without a prescription,” said Schwartz. Then he put forth a brilliant idea. “We need to reclassify poppers as a health product, instead of as something that induces harm. We need to reframe them as beneficial to health in that they improve sex, like Viagra or estrogen therapy.” Wow, I can hardly wait to go to the pharmacy and pick up my prescription for poppers! 

One thing is for sure - the ban didn’t work. Statistics show that gay men who use poppers just find them elsewhere, through mail order or under the counter. This is better than making your own - I had a friend who suggested I dissolve moth balls in nail polish remover. Or worse, use ethyl chloride, which actually is a harmful inhalant. Is that what Health Canada wants?