NJ Lawmakers Mull Banning Sale Of Certain Cough Medicines To Kids

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey lawmakers will consider legislation to restrict sales of a widely used cough suppressant.

Dextromethorphan, or DM, is an active ingredient in 100 over-the-counter medicines like NyQuil, Robitussin and Dimetapp.

But it's also used recreationally as a hallucinogen.

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee will consider legislation banning the sale of products containing DM to anyone under age 18 and requiring retailers to keep medicines with DM beyond the reach of consumers.

Fines would be $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 thereafter.

Monday's hearing will be the bill's first. Similar legislation stalled in the Assembly in 2009.

A federal panel of medical experts recommended last year that medicines containing DM continue to be sold over-the-counter despite increased abuse among teenagers.

What do you think of possible legislation to ban these medicines to kids?  Share your thoughts in the comments section...

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