TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday promised to sign two bills addressing concerns brought by libertarian-leaning health advocacy groups that ban weather modification projects and fluoride in the public water supply.
One of the bills, SB 700, is an omnibus measure sought by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which includes language banning localities from adding any health-related additives to drinking water. Another bill, SB 56, would prohibit the injection or release of chemicals into the atmosphere with the intention of changing the weather.
An Indiana-based group called Stand for Health Freedom launched a campaign last year urging dozens of Florida municipalities and counties to stop adding fluoride to drinking water. At least 20 governing boards across the state have voted to stop using the additive, despite concerns raised by dentists that fluoride saves children from painful cavities.
DeSantis said during a news conference in Miami that residents shouldn’t be forced to consume fluoride in order to get a drink of water.
