Lymington Times - Anti-fluoride campaign takes 15,000 name petition to No. 10

PETITION with over 15,000 signatures against fluoride being added to the water supply to Totton and Southampton was delivered to Campaign group Hampshire Against Fluoridation (HAF) was joined on their trip to London by 30 loyal supporters including New Forest East MP Julian Lewis anrl Totton councillor David Harrison.
The controversial decision to add fluoride to the water supply was unanimously made by the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) in February after proposals from Southampton Primary Car Trust, which said it would fight tooth decay in children. Objectors fear fluoridation has harmful side effects.
The measure is targeted at the city but will affect about 8,000 Totton residents if it comes into force in 2010 due to the layout of the pipes. It will mean an increase in fluoride from its current level of 0.08 parts per million to one part per million.
During the trip they also handed over a letter of protest to the Department of Health, calling on it to intervene and reverse the decision. Southampton MP John Denham, promoted to communities secretary in the cabinet reshuffle last week, met the group on the trip. Despite being in favour of fluoridation to improve children's dental heath, he said it needed public support.
They then moved on to the Palace of Westminster where they met with the All Party Parliamentary Group Against Fluoridation to discuss what could be done.
Coun. Harrison told the 'A&T': "The suggestion that the scheme be put on hold is a very good one. It will enable places like the Sure Start Centres to make an effective difference by educating parents as to the importance of children brushing their teeth, a far more effective method than mass medication by tap water."
Health watchdog the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is currently deciding whether to investigate the SHA's public consultation on the scheme following complaints of bias.