People Before Profit has introduced a bill to ban the advertising of new cars and flights. 

The Prohibition of Fossil Fuel Advertising Bill would ban all advertisement of fossil fuels and non-electric vehicles; it would also establish a Fossil Fuel Information Commission to help people compare prices.  

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, TD Paul Murphy said it is time for radical action. 

“As most people understand, we are hurtling towards climate catastrophe,” he said. 

“Scientists tell us we have to stay under 1.5°C [of warming above pre-industrial temperatures] but really we’re between 3 and 4°C - if not more. 

“[It’s] an absolute disaster for everyone who lives on this planet and we know that fossil fuels are the driving factor in that.”

A man holding a petrol pump nozzle refueling petroleum his vehicle. Picture by: Miljan Živković / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Murphy compared the proposal to the ban on tobacco adverts and feels it would similarly improve people’s quality of life. 

“We have the highest rates of asthma in this country,” he said. 

“One in 10 children have asthma and combustion of fossil fuels is again a key factor… driving that. 

“So, we should not be permitting these big powerful corporations to advertise and shape wants and encourage people to continue to buy fossil fuels.”

In 2020, Amsterdam City Council voted to ban all adverts on public transport that promote fossil fuels. 

Two years later, a similar proposal was enacted in France - although it included an exemption for natural gas.

In the aftermath, Greenpeace called for Brussels to consider introducing an EU-wide ban.

“There is a reason that fossil fuel companies and car companies spend together probably over $100 billion (€900 million) on advertising and it’s because advertising works,” Deputy Murphy said. 

“It does shape people’s behaviour, they are able to tell you about this great new car and green wash it, suggest it’s not so bad for the environment and so on. 

“It shapes people’s attitudes; we think we should free people from that - like we freed people from tobacco advertising.” 

A man smokes a cigarette.

The Government has yet to take a position on the bill but has committed itself to cutting carbon emissions by half by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. 

Overall, Deputy Murphy feels the bill is in keeping with pledges made by the Green Party over the years. 

“The Green Party policy is to support significant regulations on ads for cars - which effectively would ban most of the car advertisements that we see today,” he said. 

“Whether the Greens go with that, obviously we have to see. 

“This is a growing issue internationally.” 

If passed, the legislation in its current form would not ban on site advertising of prices or the sale of second hand vehicles.

Main image: Paul Murphy on the Plinth at Leinster House. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews