Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law that bans local governments from adding fluoride to public water supplies. This makes Florida the second state in the U.S. to implement such a ban, following Utah, which passed its own law in late March.
The signing took place during a public event in Dade City, where DeSantis expressed concerns about fluoride in drinking water. He stated, “Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine, but forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don’t have a choice, you’re taking that away from them.”
The Florida legislature approved the bill last month. It requires the removal of fluoride and certain other additives from water sources across the state. The new law will take effect on July 1.
Before the statewide ban, some local governments in Florida had already started to remove fluoride. For instance, Miami-Dade County commissioners recently voted to go ahead with plans to stop adding fluoride to the county’s drinking water, despite a veto from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. In defending her veto, Levine Cava emphasized that water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to promote dental health, particularly for vulnerable families.
The push to ban fluoride has gained momentum in some Republican-led states, partly influenced by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has advocated against water fluoridation. DeSantis was joined by Florida’s surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, during the signing event. Ladapo has faced criticism for opposing various public health policies, including COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Fluoride has been added to drinking water for decades to help strengthen teeth and reduce cavities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers this practice one of the significant public health achievements of the last century. However, excessive fluoride intake can lead to dental issues and has been linked to concerns about brain development.
This new law reflects a growing debate about public health measures and individual choice regarding health interventions.