In a move that’s set to make waves across the United States, Utah is poised to become the first state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water. This decision comes after Spencer Cox, the state’s governor, announced his intention to sign the bill into law. The use of fluoride, which is added to water to strengthen tooth enamel and promote oral health, has been a contentious issue in some states for decades.
The ban, expected to take effect in early May, follows the appointment of Robert Kennedy Jr. as the US Health Minister, a known opponent of fluoridation. Kennedy has stated that former President Donald Trump would call for an end to the practice. In a recent interview with Utah’s ABC4, Cox expressed his stance on the matter, saying, “It’s not a bill that I’m overly passionate about, but it’s a bill that I’ll sign.”
The bill’s sponsor, Republican State Representative Stephanie Gracia, notes that the legislation will allow pharmacists to provide fluoride to those who wish to protect their teeth with the mineral. Gracia emphasized her belief in individual choice, particularly when it comes to prescription medications, and pointed out that fluoride is federally regulated as a prescription drug. In an email, she stated, “I believe in individual choice when it comes to what medications we put in our own bodies, and fluoride is regulated by the federal government as a prescription drug. Forcing it into the water and giving people a choice is not compatible with good healthcare.”
Gracia highlighted that only two of Utah’s 29 counties currently add fluoride to their water supplies. By allowing citizens to obtain fluoride pills from pharmacists, her bill aims to make the mineral more accessible to those who choose to use it. This approach is seen as a compromise, allowing individuals to decide for themselves whether or not to use fluoride, rather than having it added to the public water supply. As the debate around fluoridation continues, Utah’s decision is likely to be closely watched by other states, with potential implications for the nation’s approach to public health and water treatment.
