The Utah state senate voted unanimously this week to declare pornography a "public health crisis." It's part of a growing recognition that pornography has become a major health issue.

In an interview with CBN News, Donna Rice Hughes, president of Enough is Enough, says that pornography has been a problem for years but we now have the science that shows the danger.

"When Internet pornography began to become mainstream, in the 90s, research began to be done about 'was this a problem' and 'why is this a problem,'" she explained.

"Now we have an entire body of peer reviewed science that shows that, for instance pornography is sexually exploiting children, that it's highly addictive," she continued.

"Many of these kids that are being exposed are actually imitating what they see, we know that it leads to violence against women, it's fueling the sex trafficking industry," Hughes said.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation applauded the historic decision, stating that pornography harms individuals' minds and bodies, as well as their ability to sustain lasting and meaningful relationships.

"Pornography is clearly a poison that any society striving for ideals of personal well-being, equality, and respect cannot tolerate," Dawn Hawkins, executive director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said.

Sen. Todd Weiler, who introduced the legislation, told NY Daily News that porn was more addictive than powerful drugs and that the public needs to start seeing it for what it is, a national epidemic.

"I have read books and I have experts tell me pornography is more difficult to overcome than cocaine," he said.

The state lawmaker also blamed porn for pushing men away from marriage and destroying family values. In his experience as a divorce lawyer, he said, porn is frequently the issue that leads to splits.

The resolution must now pass the state House and be approved by the governor.

Hughes said she hopes this bill will be looked at by other states and that as legislators look at the issue of pornography through the lense of peer reviewed science it will begin to be addressed.

"When you get public policy involved or legislators in Congress looking at these issues from a differnt lense it can elevate the debate and dialogue," she said.

Click here to find out how to protect your children from online dangers.