HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), that would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors, this week was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 1951 would require that merchants check the age of someone who appears to be under the age of 25 who attempts to purchase a product containing DXM to ensure the purchaser is over 18.
“Young people are buying cough medicine to get a cheap high and my legislation would help to limit their access to this harmful drug,” said Toohil.
“I would like to thank my House colleagues for their quick and unanimous passage, and I urge the Senate to do the same, as we continue our efforts to resolve Pennsylvania’s drug crisis.”
Toohil’s legislation would also create a new summary offense, punishable by a fine of $250-$500, for a person who knowingly sells a DXM product to a minor, for a person who falsely misrepresents his or her age to obtain any quantity of DXM or for a person who purchases a DXM product with the intent to sell it. Subsequent violations would each carry a $500 fine.
