If DeSantis, a Republican, signs the bill, Florida will become the second state to ban fluoride from water supplies. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, also a Republican, signed a bill in late March that prohibits any person or government entity from adding the cavity-fighting mineral to the state’s water systems, making it the first state to do so. It will go into effect May 7. During a Florida House session Tuesday, supporters of the bill argued that fluoride doesn’t improve water quality and that removing it from water systems could save local governments money. Opponents argued that everyday Floridians rely on fluoride for dental health.

Florida is set to eliminate fluoride from public water systems after lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday that indirectly bans the substance. The legislation, SB 700—also referred to as the Florida Farm Bill—does not explicitly mention fluoride, but includes language restricting the use of certain additives in water supplies. The bill now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature. Florida would become the second state to prohibit water fluoridation if signed into law. Utah passed a similar law in March, with Gov. Spencer Cox approving a ban that goes into effect on May 7.

The Florida House passed a bill on Tuesday that would ban fluoride in the public water supply. The legislation prohibiting local jurisdictions from adding the chemical to tap water now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) desk for final approval after lawmakers passed SB 700 in an 88-27 vote. DeSantis previously commented in support of the policy and is likely to sign the bill into law, which would make Florida the second state in the country to restrict fluoride usage after Utah did so last month. “Nobody argues, here at least, that fluoride has a benefit to your body,” Republican state Rep. Danny Alvarez, a co-sponsor of the Florida bill, said. “What we argue is that we can’t force you to have it, or any other drug, that some simple majority may believe is good for you in the future.” Experts have historically recommended fluoride in the water supply as a simple way to promote oral health and cavity prevention.

Florida is set to become the second state to ban fluoride from drinking water. The bill now goes to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval. Many cities would add fluoride to their drinking water to help protect teeth from cavities. Utah was the first state to banned fluoride in public drinking water in 2002.

Floridians no longer would have fluoridated water if Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signs a measure into law that would ban adding fluoride to public water supplies.