Evil and addictive: Utah declares porn a ‘public health hazard’

The U.S. state of Utah has declared porn a public health hazard. While the heavily Mormon state has stopped short of an outright ban, governor Gary R. Herbert signed two pieces of legislation on Tuesday that aim to combat what’s called “a sexually toxic environment” caused by porn. The legislation also states that pornography is “potentially biologically addictive” and “is linked to lessening desire in young men to marry, dissatisfaction in marriage, and infidelity.” In other words, not only is porn addictive and misogynistic, according to this resolution, but it could be hurting the institution of marriage.

(Porn) is contributing to the hypersexualisation of teens, and even prepubescent children, in our society…

The anti-porn bill

“We hope that people hear and heed this voice of warning,” Herbert said at a signing ceremony. “For our citizens know that there are real health risks that are involved and associated with viewing pornography.” While Utah is the home base for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints — and it’s one of the most conservative states in the US — a 2009 Harvard study about conservative states and the porn industry showed that Utah’s residents were the nation’s top subscribers to online adult entertainment services.

I am not trying to ban pornography. What I am saying is we have taken steps to protect people from tobacco, but we haven’t done that for pornography.

State senator Todd Weiler

Utah