A push to further criminalise a chemical used as machine lubricant, but recreationally used as a sex drug known as ‘poppers’ is being backed by doctors but would “discriminate against the gay community.”

A Victorian political candidate and drugs policy consultant is leading a push against the potential crackdown which he says will disproportionately affect the minority group.

That’s despite the Australian Medical Association supporting the government’s attempts to increase the drugs ‘scheduling’ and therefore increase its criminality.

‘Poppers’ or alkyl nitrite is currently used by a third (31.1 percent) of gay men to make anal sex more pleasurable, according to research by Flux .

'Poppers' are popular in the male gay community with a third of gay men admitting to using them in their sex life in the past six months. (Getty)

Jarryd Bartle, who along with his politics and consultancy careers also lectures in criminal law at RMIT, says the government’s proposal to further outlaw ‘poppers’, singles out gay and bisexual men.

“It’s a decision affecting a minority group [the male gay community], so there’s a potential for those interests to be disregarded,” Mr Bartle told 9NEWS.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) want to increase the scheduling of alkyl nitrite or ‘poppers’, from a schedule three drug to a schedule nine.

This would make it criminalised in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT, with a potential fine for possession, and put it in the same category as heroin or cocaine.

Inhaling the chemical as a drug gives users a brief head rush and creates a sense of euphoria by dilating the blood vessels – it also relaxes muscles, helping gay men have anal sex more comfortably.

The Australian Medical Association New South Wales President thinks the government’s proposal is “entirely reasonable.”

“It’s not a drug we’re using as a therapeutic agent,” Dr Kean-Seng Lim told 9NEWS.

The short-term side effects from inhaling poppers can include severe headaches, nausea and dizziness.

“It can cause a rapid drop in blood pressure which can cause [users to] blackout,” said Dr Lim.

Mr Bartle, who is also a drug policy consultant, says banning the drug will have a big affect on the Australian gay community. (Supplied)

When it comes to long term effects however, the research is minimal.

“From my understanding there isn’t any real long term consequences. Some could develop an allergic reaction, others could in time get a blood disorder.”

Despite the seemingly minimal side effects, Dr Lim is adamant it should be increased to a category nine drug.

“Oh yes, there’s no really good reason why someone should be taking it”, he said.

'Poppers’ operate currently in a legal ‘grey area,’ where the sale of any product for alkyl nitrite or its related counterparts for recreational use is illegal, but it can be purchased behind the counter at many adult shops.

For this reason, the TGA is looking to criminalise it further as they, like Dr Lim, don’t see any ‘therapeutic’ use for the substance.

The UK similarly tried to ban the recreational use of poppers, but was lobbied by gay rights groups and failed.

Mr Bartle however, is nervous Australia’s bid will pass.

“The difference between this and the UK is, it was a bill going through parliament [in the UK]. This is a bureaucratic decision which has me more concerned.”

Mr Bartle says while the TGA might not see a therapeutic use for poppers, there’s no denying it plays an important role in the gay community.

He says the government’s concerns would be better fixed through education.

“It’s continuing this war on drugs approach, which we know causes more harm than good.”

Mr Bartle also told 9NEWS he’s concerned banning it will lead to a black market which will mean poorer quality substances which are likely to cause even more harm.