• Florida is the second state to ban the addition of fluoride in public water after Utah.
• Governor Ron DeSantis argues that fluoridation is a form of "forced medication."
• The law emphasizes consumer choice and will take effect on July 1, 2025.
• Supporters of fluoridation cite its proven benefits for dental health.

Florida has officially become the second state in the U.S. to prohibit the addition of fluoride to its public water systems. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the measure, which will take effect on July 1, 2025, during a public event in Dade City. He stated, “Forcing it into the water supply is basically forced medication on people,” highlighting the impact on consumer choice regarding health decisions, according to CBS News, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times.

The decision aligns with a broader conservative movement against public health mandates and follows similar legislation in Utah. DeSantis, alongside Florida's Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, has garnered national attention for this stance, which resonates with certain public health criticisms, according to Reuters and HuffPost.

Health advocates, including previous supporters of water fluoridation, have expressed concern over the potential long-term consequences of such bans. Miami-Dade County officials, who previously voted to halt fluoride use, warned of possible negative health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations. Consequently, prominent health organizations like the American Dental Association continue to advocate for controlled fluoridation as a key public health benefit, according to ABC News and Anadolu Agency.

Critics of fluoridation raise concerns about health risks associated with excessive fluoride exposure, including alleged links to neurological issues in children. Research has pointed to potential developmental concerns linked to high fluoride levels, prompting calls for greater caution in fluoride use, as detailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and echoed by health professionals opposing the ban, as reported by Reuters and New York Times.