German media: Netherlands to ban fireworks, Germany still in debate

This New Year's Eve, Dutch people will say goodbye to fireworks for the last time. The country's parliament has passed a law banning private use of fireworks. In Germany, the related debate is still ongoing.

According to a resolution by the Dutch parliament, the ban on fireworks will take effect at the start of 2027.

The fire department, hospitals and police in the Netherlands are concerned that this will be an especially dangerous and difficult night. Firework sales have already increased significantly. Industry experts estimate that sales will increase by about 20% compared to last year.

Police reports also show an increase in illegal imports of fireworks. These fireworks are extremely powerful, and the police said they are comparable to bombs and hand grenades.

According to the Dutch news agency (ANP), as of the end of December this year, police had seized more than 112,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks. The amount seized during the same period last year was about 107,000 kilograms, while the amount seized in the same period in 2023 was about 79,000 kilograms.

In the Netherlands, the sale and use of large fireworks have been banned for years. However, private individuals can legally purchase these fireworks in Belgium and Germany and then smuggle them into the Netherlands.

Cases of serious injuries caused by fireworks are also increasing. According to statistics from the Dutch Association of Hand Surgeons, the number of children and teenagers who had to have limbs amputated due to fireworks explosions between November and mid-December this year was more than twice that of the same period last year, with a total of 10 young people losing arms, hands, or fingers. In 2024, the number was 4.

For years, doctors, police, local governments, and environmentalists have been calling for a ban on fireworks. But it wasn't until this spring that the Dutch parliament formed a majority in support. However, due to administrative reasons, the ban will not take effect until next year. The parliament still needs to pass relevant measures to implement supervision and provide compensation to the fireworks industry.

Since 2007, the Netherlands has only allowed professional fireworks displays, but they require permission. A recent survey by the research institution I&O Research showed that most Dutch people (62%) support this ban.

Germany still in debate

In the neighboring country of Germany, discussions about whether to ban fireworks are still ongoing.

According to a recent survey by the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), less than one-fifth (22%) of Germans plan to set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. By contrast, three-quarters (74%) do not plan to set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. TÜV General Manager Joachim Bühler emphasized that people who set off firecrackers, small rockets, or other fireworks themselves on New Year's Eve are "just a minority."

Another survey shows that mainly young people set off fireworks on New Year's Eve: 43% of people aged 18 to 29 set off fireworks, and 39% of people aged 30 to 39.

Similar to the situation in the Netherlands, due to safety concerns, doctors, police, children's rights organizations, and environmental groups in Germany have also called for a complete ban on fireworks. Especially in recent years, the number of cases where police were attacked by firecrackers on New Year's Eve has been increasing. However, the federal and state interior ministries responsible for public security have not yet reached an agreement on banning private use of fireworks.

Can fireworks be both environmentally friendly and traditional?

In recent years, the sales of fireworks in Germany have been rising continuously. The German Fireworks Industry Association (VPI) expects that sales will increase by 10% to 15% compared to the previous year in 2025. In 2024, the sales of fireworks in Germany reached 197 million euros, and in 2023, it was 180 million euros.

According to German laws, in principle, only private individuals may set off fireworks on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and fireworks may only be sold between December 29 and 31 each year.

Source: DW

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853021078350848/

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