Florida lawmakers have approved a controversial measure that would effectively eliminate fluoride from public water systems, with the state House passing the bill on Tuesday by a vote of 88 to 27.
The legislation, Senate Bill 700 — also referred to as the Florida Farm Bill — does not explicitly reference fluoride. However, according to NBC News, by restricting “the use of certain additives in a water system,” it would result in the compound’s removal. The bill is now headed to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval.
If signed into law, Florida would become the second state in the U.S. to enact such a ban. In March, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, also a Republican, approved a law that prohibits individuals and government bodies from introducing fluoride into the state’s water. That policy is set to take effect on May 7.
Supporters of Florida’s bill, during Tuesday’s House discussion, argued that eliminating fluoride won’t harm water quality and could lower operational costs for local municipalities. Opponents, however, voiced concerns about the health impact, emphasizing the role of fluoride in dental care for many Floridians.
“This bill doesn’t hurt the wealthy. They’ll keep seeing private dentists, getting their expensive treatments and flashing their perfect smiles,” said Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-Fl. “But for everyday Floridians, the people who clock in at 6 a.m., who can’t take time off — off for their dental visits, who rely on water from their taps to protect their kids, this bill takes a safe and proven and affordable public health tool and rips it away.”
NBC reports that Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also criticized the move, calling the legislature’s decision “deeply disappointing.” In a statement, she said the action “disregards the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts and will end a practice that has been in place for decades to protect our health.”
“No studies have shown that fluoridation at low levels is unsafe for our communities, including babies and pregnant women — in fact, it is vitally important for the health of developing teeth in infants and children,” Cava stated. She also argued that fluoridation policy should remain under local control. “Ending fluoridation will have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families.”
With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has claimed there is no “systemic advantage” to drinking fluoridated water. Similar legislative proposals have surfaced in other states, including Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
