A CAMPAIGN to stamp out the sale of the potentially lethal drug 'poppers' is being backed by Lancashire County Council bosses.

Trading standards officers have been calling for stricter controls on amyl nitrite, which until recently has been on open sale in sex shops across Lancashire.

The drug, which offered a legal high and is used to treat heart problems, was also available in some pubs and clubs.

Poppers is sniffed from a bottle but can cause blackouts and even death if swallowed.

Confusion still surrounds the law on the sale of the drug and trading standards are worried unscrupulous businessmen could exploit the legal loopholes.

Recent changes mean chemists can now only supply amyl nitrite on prescription. But legal experts are still not sure whether shops selling poppers are breaking the law. Sex shops in East Lancashire have taken the product off their shelves after receiving warnings from trading standards.

The situation was discussed at a fire service and public protection meeting.

Chairman Bob Clark said: "Illness and even deaths have resulted from the use of poppers and we welcome moves to make their sale illegal.

"Clearly the people best placed to ensure effective enforcement are local trading standards officers but we feel the legislation will need to be amended to ensure that.

"Our concerns have been passed on to the Government and we hope they will see the merit in our views."

Talks are also taking place between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the association of local trading standards officers about the situation.

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