Yes. I work in the industry. Creosote is only allowed in the railroad industry. Everywhere else it is banned.
I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same. If you get the creosote that’s used to treat lumber, on your skin, it will burn and scar you.
Discussion
It looks like there is history of medicinal use of the oil derived from the plant (not coal tar)
https://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ethnobot/images/creosote.html
Yeah there has to be a difference. No way it’s the creosote I know of.