Echoing growing frustration with government overreach and questionable health policies, Florida lawmakers are making waves with a bill to ban fluoride in public water systems.
The bombshell legislation gives Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a massive win.
As part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda, Kennedy has fiercely opposed drinking fluoridated water as it provides no “systemic advantage.”
As Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to make a final decision, millions of Americans are already welcoming the change.
Known as SB 700, the bill has already passed the Florida legislature and awaits DeSantis’ signature.
Without explicitly naming it, the legislation subtly removes fluoride from public waters by preventing certain additives in water systems.
This legislative choice positions Florida right behind Utah, which will enforce its own fluoride ban starting on May 7.
While some call it a triumph against unnecessary additives, critics highlight that health experts endorse fluoride for preventing tooth decay.
Major health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, strongly support water fluoridation, emphasizing its role as a significant public health achievement.
American Dental Association president Brett Kessler stated:
“As dentists, we see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients and it’s a real tragedy when policymakers’ decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term. Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money, and will ultimately harm our economy.”
Opponents of the bill argue fluoride remains essential for dental health, particularly for those relying on public resources for care.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she was “deeply disappointed” over the bill.
She added that it goes against “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.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the legislation point to potential cost savings and question the role of fluoride in overall water quality.
Proponents of the bill, led by Republican state Representative Kaylee Tuck, suggest the decision on fluoridation should rest with local communities rather than broad federal mandates.
As of 2022, a significant portion of U.S. community water systems fluoridate their water, reflecting a widespread public health strategy that has been in practice for decades.
As fluoride bans gain traction, with other states considering similar legislation, the nation confronts a critical debate on balancing governmental directives with individual freedom.
