Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler: Porn Is a Public Health Crisis
In this March 5, 2015, file photo, Todd Weiler, a Republican senator from Woods Cross, speaks during a committee hearing, in Salt Lake City. Weiler wants to declare pornography a public health crisis, echoing an argument being made around the U.S. by conservative religious groups as porn becomes more accessible on smartphones and tablets. Rick Bowmer / AP
by Corky Siemaszko Feb 9 2016, 11:59 am ET
A Utah legislator says pornography is like cigarettes — a public health crisis.
State Sen. Todd Weiler has introduced a legislative resolution that would recognize the "societal harms" posed by pornography.
"Pornography perpetuates a sexually toxic environment," the Republican legislator's resolution reads. "Efforts to prevent pornography exposure and addiction, to educate individuals and families concerning its harms, and to develop recovery programs must be addressed systemically in ways that hold broader influences accountable."
Weiler's resolution goes on to blast porn for equating "violence towards women and children with sex and pain with pleasure" and "lessening desire in young men to marry, dissatisfaction in marriage, and infidelity."
While Weiler does not propose a specific solution to combating pornography, it appears to be a plague in his home state.
A Harvard study back in 2009 found that Utah's religious residents were the nation's top consumers of online porn.
Subsequent studies have questioned the methodology and findings of the Benjamin Edelman's "Red Light States: Who Buys Online Adult Entertainment?" study.
Weiler did not return a telephone call or email for comment.
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