In a unanimous decision New Plymouth District councillors this morning voted to stop fluoridating New Plymouth, Waitara, Urenui and Lepperton water supplies.

The decision sides with the overwhelming majority of submissions made to council on the issue two weeks ago which called for an end to water fluoridation.

Councillor Shaun Biesiek, who moved to drop the chemical from the district’s water supply, said supporters of fluoridation had failed to convince him the benefits it had in preventing tooth decay did not also come with health risks.

In an amendment to the motion the $18,000 formerly spent on fluoridation will now go toward dental health education programmes in schools.

Watch the meeting here: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/TheCouncilAndItsPeople/Meetings/MeetingsOnVideo.htm

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