The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, announced this Tuesday in Miami his support for two laws that prohibit practices such as water fluoridation without local consent and climate modification through geoengineering techniques.
The first measure, SB 700, prevents local governments from adding fluoride to drinking water without state authorization and responds to a warning issued in November 2024 by the state surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, who noted potential health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. This provision is part of a broader package known as the “Florida Farm Bill.”
"Today I was in Miami to support SB 700, which prohibits local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to drinking water. With wide access to topical fluoride, there is no need to medicate entire communities without their consent. The Free State of Florida says no to forced medication and we are proud to lead the nation in this effort," stated DeSantis on his social media account X.
On the social network itself, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., supported DeSantis' decision.
"He is defending the right of every Floridian to decide what enters their own body. That is the essence of the MAHA agenda (an acronym for 'Making America Healthy Again'): restoring informed consent, protecting health freedom, and returning power to the people. I urge governors across the country to follow his example," he wrote.
The bill was approved on April 29, just as Miami-Dade was internally debating whether to maintain the fluoridation of drinking water, a measure the county has been implementing since the 1950s to prevent cavities and other dental issues.
Once it comes into effect, the law will make Florida the second state—after Utah—to prohibit the addition of fluoride to drinking water, a practice that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have regarded as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
On April 1, the Miami-Dade commissioners
The voting at the beginning of April was marked by controversy. Commissioner Raquel Regalado requested to postpone the decision, arguing that there had not been an opportunity to consult with other professionals in Dentistry. She also criticized that the discussion in the committee during March was one-sided, as it only included critical voices against the use of fluoride.
In March, Miami-Dade was the center of an increasing debate regarding the effects of fluoride in drinking water, following recent studies that indicated potential health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women.
Prohibition on geoengineering: the sky is also untouchable
The second initiative, SB 56, expressly prohibits geoengineering in the state. The new law removes Florida's ability to issue permits for climate manipulation and penalizes the dispersal of chemicals into the atmosphere for the purpose of altering the climate, temperature, sunlight, or precipitation.
The penalties include up to five years in prison and fines of up to 100,000 dollars for violations, classified as third-degree offenses.
"I reiterated in Miami that Florida is not a testing ground for geoengineering... I will sign SB 56 to prohibit it in our skies. The Free State of Florida means freedom from the unilateral application of chemicals or geoengineering by governments or private actors to individuals or public spaces," the governor emphasized in a statement from his office.
The law also establishes monitoring mechanisms. Starting October 1, all public airports must report to state authorities the presence of aircraft equipped to modify the weather. A public portal will also be implemented to report potential violations, which will be operational this summer.
The laws reinforce the governor's narrative about the "Free State of Florida," emphasizing local control and protection against technological interventions without citizen approval.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prohibition of Fluoridation and Geoengineering in Florida
Why has Florida prohibited the fluoridation of drinking water?
Florida has banned the fluoridation of drinking water without local consent due to concerns about health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women. This decision is part of an effort to ensure informed consent and protect health freedom in the state.
What is geoengineering and why has it been banned in Florida?
Geoengineering refers to climate manipulation through the dispersion of chemical substances in the atmosphere to modify the climate, temperature, sunlight, or precipitation. Florida has prohibited these practices to protect its atmosphere from technological interventions without public approval.
What measures have been implemented to monitor compliance with the ban on geoengineering in Florida?
Starting October 1, all public airports in Florida must report the presence of aircraft equipped to modify the weather. Additionally, a public portal will be implemented to report potential violations of the geoengineering ban, which will be operational this summer.
What has been the public reaction to the removal of fluoride from the water in Miami-Dade?
The removal of fluoride from the drinking water in Miami-Dade has sparked a divided debate. Some view it as a victory for freedom of choice, while others fear it may represent a setback for preventive health, particularly for vulnerable communities that rely on fluoride for oral hygiene.
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