REPORT TITLE:
Fluoridation Ban


DESCRIPTION:
Bans fluoridation of Hawaii's water supply.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2091
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO FLUORIDATION OF HAWAII'S WATER SUPPLY.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
 2 by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read
 
 3 as follows:
 
 4                     "PART    . FLUORIDATION
 
 5      §321-     Fluoridation of water supply in Hawaii; findings
 
 6 and purpose.  (a)  Findings.  The legislature considered evidence
 
 7 and arguments for and against fluoridation of Hawaii's water
 
 8 supply in 1987 and decided not to enact legislation to do so.
 
 9 Supporters contended that fluoridation is beneficial and
 
10 especially benefits children and the poor.  Opponents pointed to
 
11 a federal study that linked fluoride to bone cancer.  However,
 
12 beyond the issues of safety, effectiveness, cost, operation, and
 
13 maintenance requirements, is the more basic issue of the right of
 
14 people to self-determination and choice.  It is not the role of
 
15 government to legislate what activities or procedures the public
 
16 should take to achieve dental health, especially when safety and
 
17 other issues have not been fully resolved.  The public, and
 
18 especially parents of children, should have the right to choose
 
19 whether or not to expose themselves or their children to
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2091
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 fluoride.  If the people decide to use fluoride, alternatives
 
 2 abound in various low-cost dentifrice products.  However, this
 
 3 choice would be taken away if mandatory fluoridation of Hawaii's
 
 4 water supply is legislated.
 
 5      (b)  Purpose.  The purpose of this part is to declare, as
 
 6 policy of the State, that mandatory fluoridation of Hawaii's
 
 7 water supply is not in the public interest.
 
 8      §321-     Fluoridation of water supply in Hawaii;
 
 9 prohibited.  No fluoride shall be systematically added to the
 
10 water supply in the State for the purpose of prevention of tooth
 
11 decay."
 
12      SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
13 
 
14                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________