The Riigikogu took into consideration the collective appeal “Shooting of fireworks only on New Year’s Eve!” initiated by the Estonian Central Party’s Youth Council. The economic commission will process the collective appeal.
The initiators pointed out that shooting fireworks disturbs the well-being of many people and animals. Therefore, private individuals should be allowed to shoot fireworks only on New Year’s Eve, i.e. on December 31 and January 1, because:
- fireworks are stressful for people who are sensitive to sound;
- fireworks may fall into the hands of children or intoxicated persons who may be injured due to improper handling;
- fireworks startle both domestic and wild animals, causing them to behave unpredictably;
- disturbs those near whose houses fireworks are set off;
- harms the environment.
“Since the use of fireworks involves many risks, the Explosives Act should be amended so that the use of fireworks is permitted for private individuals only on New Year’s Eve. At other times, you have to apply for a special permit,” Kesknoorte chairman Valentina Bortnovski and general secretary Kristi Rüütel emphasized during a meeting with Lauri Laats, deputy chairman of the Riigikogu economic committee.
People’s initiative “Letting off fireworks only on New Year’s Eve!” was prepared by the Center Party’s Youth Council in December 2021 and it collected 1,688 signatures.
