The video was viewed nearly three million times and shared nearly 500 times in three days on X (formerly Twitter). In the images, the author shows the possibility of buying a bottle of poppers, this substance containing alkyl nitrites which is inhaled for its euphoric effect, for less than 5 euros in a Carrefour City in Clermont-Ferrand.
“When I saw this, among the candies, I said to myself that it wasn’t possible,” confides Ioan, 20 years old, author of the publication. Before expanding: “I was surprised to find them there because usually, you find this type of product in tobacco shops or in sex shops where identity checks [pour vérifier la majorité] are strict. And then, I was also very surprised by the price. Elsewhere, it’s at least four to five times more expensive. » The young man also notes that there were only two bottles left in this presentation box which could contain “around thirty”.
FAKE OFF
After posting his video, Ioan received “tons” of messages. “There were several reactions,” he continues. First, some regulars asked me where the place was, interested in the sale price. Then, many questioned the legality of selling poppers in this way, at checkout counters, among candy bars. » The young man assures that it is “the first time” that he has seen poppers on the shelves of this supermarket.
By doing a little research, 20 minutes was able to find a publication dating from March 2020, from another Carrefour but this time in Strasbourg, which presented the sale of this product (a little more expensive). For its part, the Carrefour group ensures that it does not “market poppers”. “Our independent retail partners (Carrefour City or Express for example) nevertheless have the right to sell them freely, except to minors,” indicated the press service.
The law on poppers has evolved significantly in recent years. It was notably banned by the government in 2011 before being sold freely again following a decision by the Council of State. In 2014, the medicines agency issued a warning against the risks associated with the use of these substances, such as cardiovascular and blood disorders as well as eye damage.