Fossil fuels are driving the greatest health crisis of our time, yet the fossil fuel industry continues to enjoy unrestricted advertising and sponsorship rights. Alarmingly, fossil fuel pollution kills more people globally than smoking.

This campaign aims to petition the government to ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship, positioning Ireland as the first country in the world to take this bold and necessary step in combating the climate crisis.

The campaign builds on our recent participation in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. During this engagement, our members, Dr Ola Løkken Nordrum and Dr Lisa McNamee, highlighted the urgent need to regulate advertising that promotes fossil fuels.

We emphasised that the climate crisis requires consistent, “everyday” media coverage. Yet, Irish media persist in promoting polluting industries, often without any health warnings for their audiences.

To support this effort, we have published an open letter (see below), signed by over 300 doctors, medical students and allied health-care professionals, calling on the government to implement a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship. Your voice is your most effective tool and every voice counts when it comes to saving our planet and mitigating the worst effects of the climate-health emergency.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to World Without Fossil Ads for sponsoring this campaign. Checkout their website to learn more about the importance of banning fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship and to connect with a growing community around the world.

Open Letter from Healthcare Workers