New polling reveals the majority of Australians (53%) support a ban on fossil fuel companies sponsoring national sporting teams, with only 32% opposed. The polling also shows three in five Australians (60%) agree fossil fuel sponsorship ‘is the new cigarette advertising’.

Key Points: 

• Three in five Australians (60%) agree that fossil fuel sponsorship is the new cigarette sponsorship, more than double the number who disagree (27%).
• Majority of Australians (53%) agree that fossil fuel companies should be banned from sponsoring national sports teams, compared to 32% who disagree.
• Majority of Australians (57%) agree that the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House should not have accepted sponsorship from fossil fuel companies, compared to one in four (24%) who disagree.

“This research shows fossil fuel corporations are losing their social license to sponsor sporting teams and major events in mainstream society, ” said Richie Merzian, Director of the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program.

“Australians don’t accept cigarette sponsorship due to the deadly impact on human health and this research shows two in three Australians view fossil fuel sponsorship as the new cigarette sponsorship.

“Given that gas, coal and oil companies supercharge the deadly impact of floods, bushfires and extreme weather events, it’s unsurprising these companies are losing their social license to sponsor major events in mainstream society.”

The Australia Institute is an accredited member of the Australian Polling Council. The polling methodology, long disclosure statement and margin of error for polling questions are included in the appendix of the report