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Are Poppers legal or a drug? Does it fall under the Narcotics Act or the Medicines Act? Or can it be sold freely? These questions are not only unsettling for gays. This guide sets out the legal position.
Firstly: Yes, poppers are legal. They consist of nitrites, which have no potential for abuse or addiction and do not fall under the Medicines Act. Here you can find out from what age the sale and possession of poppers as room fragrances is permitted and much more.
Poppers legal: these are the active ingredients
Poppers traditionally consist of nitrites, such as isopropyl nitrite, as well as fragrances and flavorings. As poppers are mixed with flavorings, they are therefore ideal for use as a room fragrance. These are the reasons why poppers are legal:
- they are not covered by the German Narcotics Act
- it is freely available for sale, as it does not fall under the Medicines Act.
- it has no hallucinogenic effect!
Due to its physiological effect, “poppers” were in the past categorized by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) as a functional drug. A later decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ, see below) in 2014 cancelled the classification of “poppers” as functional medicinal products. It is now no longer applicable.
The consumption of poppers legal here
Since poppers are legal, you can buy, store and use it as a room fragrance with impunity. Even though there are no legal restrictions, you should make sure that you use them safely.
Please pay attention to the information on the packaging. Never use poppers if you have problems with your cardiovascular system or suffer from cardiac arrhythmia. Never take it together with erection drugs. If you have accidentally drunk it, drink plenty of water immediately and call an ambulance. Important: Do not vomit! This will burn your oesophagus and throat.
Buy poppers legally: Only to adults
You can also recognise that poppers are legal by the fact that they are not mentioned at all in the German government’s “Drugs and Addiction Report”. So you don’t have to fear any consequences if you possess and use this aphrodisiac. Retailers, however, only sell poppers to adults. Poppers are legal in these countries:
- in Germany
- in Switzerland and Austria
- and in all other EU countries
Planning a skiing holiday in Austria or Switzerland? You can also possess these flavours there without any problems or restrictions. The same applies to every EU country. The British government even expressly confirmed in 2016 that poppers can be sold.
Buying poppers legally: what to look for
As there are no legal restrictions, you can possess as much as you want. Even so, look at where a bottle comes from and what condition it is in: sealed originals, a retailer with a full legal notice and an age check at checkout are the minimum.
Five things are worth a look before you order:
- Sealed original bottles rather than loose refills
- A retailer with a full legal notice
- The active ingredient stated clearly on the label
- An age check at checkout
- Everything tested by us
FAQ
Is poppers a drug?
No, poppers are not a drug and do not fall under the Narcotics Act! Possession and use are legal in Germany and in all EU countries. Poppers are not even mentioned in the German government’s “Drugs and Addiction Report”.
Are poppers legal?
Yes, poppers are legal, because they fall neither under the German Narcotics Act nor under the Medicines Act. It does not trigger a hallucinogenic effect and the flash effect only lasts a few seconds. Poppers are therefore not subject to the Narcotics Act, can be sold freely and there are no quantity restrictions.
Where can you buy poppers legally?
From specialist retailers, online or on the high street. Inside the EU the purchase is legal for adults. Look for a retailer with a full legal notice, for sealed original bottles and for an age check at checkout.