In a rare decision The Cairns Regional Council has voted to stop fluoridating its water supplies, calling the practice ‘involuntary mass medication’.
The Queensland Government last year changed the law to give councils control over fluoride policy.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning says 'mass medication' must not proceed without community consent.
The move will save the council about $400,000 a year.
Nearby Townsville is now also looking at the issue and could follow Cairns.
While most people, even opponents, accept that fluoride does reduce dental cavities, many people are uneasy about its use in the general water supply.
What other medicine is added to the water supply? None.
More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_controversy
Should Townsville follow Cairns:
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2013/02/01/374620_news.html