Court battle halts fluoride in Scotland's water supply

In 1979, a significant legal battle took place in Scotland involving Catherine McColl, who opposed the addition of fluoride to drinking water. The Strathclyde regional council sought to introduce fluoride as a public health measure to combat escalating rates of dental decay, which were among the highest in Europe. McColl, a Glasgow resident concerned about the potential health impacts, took the council to court. The case became one of the most protracted in Scottish legal history. Ultimately, the High Court, presided over by Lord Charles Jauncey, dismissed McColl's health claims against fluoride but ruled that the council lacked the legal authority to add the mineral to the water supply. This legal decision effectively prevented the fluoridation initiative, resulting in long-term implications for dental health in the region. The court's ruling and subsequent lack of action by the Scottish government on this issue have continued to impact public opinion and health policy discussions regarding fluoride use in Scotland. Despite the established benefits of water fluoridation in reducing tooth decay, the government has yet to initiate significant changes.