The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Doctors for the Environment make it official.
The RACGP has backed calls for the federal government to crack down on the promotion of unhealthy products including fossil fuels.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said, “Fossil fuel companies are learning from the Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol handbook to boost their reputation through advertising and sponsoring. At the end of the day, they are seeking a social licence that they don’t deserve.”
And Doctors for the Environment Australia has released its official policy statement on fossil fuel advertising.
It calls for a ban on all fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships, including any sponsorships of the health sector.
Currently coal, oil and methane gas companies sponsor a number of health organisations including the Telethon Kids Institute at Perth Hospital.
The police statement reads, ‘Banning fossil fuel advertising encourages the shift in social and political attitudes that is urgently required to transition to safer, cleaner energy. Currently, the use of fossil fuels and their by-products is practically unavoidable for consumers and the fossil fuel industry needs to accept responsibility for the harms they cause and transition to greener alternatives. Many of these solutions are available today, such as renewable energy and plant based plastic alternatives. By its very definition advertising seeks to persuade consumers to purchase a product and when that product is responsible for climate change and air pollution it is the responsibility of health practitioners to advocate for its prohibition.’
In 2022, more than 200 health groups and professionals supported the launch of the Fossil Ad Ban campaign.
