In a survey, a majority of Germans spoke out in favor of a ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve.

In the representative survey conducted by the Insa Consulere Institute on behalf of the Brandenburg consumer advice center, 53 percent of those surveyed voted for a ban, only 39 percent were against.

The consumer advice center explained that New Year's Eve fireworks were not only discussed controversially because of the corona pandemic, but also because of the risk of injury, environmental and animal protection and currently because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

"It is now important that politicians decide at an early stage whether the lighting or the sale of fireworks for private firecrackers on New Year's Eve will be banned this year," said Christian A. Rumpke, head of the Brandenburg consumer center.

The approval for a ban on private fireworks was slightly higher in western Germany at 54 percent than in the east at 50 percent.

There was great support for a ban among voters from the Greens, Left Party, Union and SPD – on the other hand, 68 percent of AfD supporters voted against a ban on firecrackers.

The supporters of the FDP were divided with values ​​of 47 percent for a ban on firecrackers and 45 percent against it.

Brandenburger majority against a ban on firecrackers

In Brandenburg, a majority spoke out against the ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve - according to the survey, that was 50 percent of those questioned.

Only 45 percent voted in favor.

5 percent of respondents answered “don't know” or gave no answer.

Only in the age group of 60 and over did a majority of 52 percent support a ban on private fireworks, while the majority of younger respondents in all age groups were against it.

There was great support for the ban among voters from the Greens, SPD and Left Party – almost two-thirds of AfD supporters and 71 percent of BVB/Freie Wahler voters voted against it.

The supporters of the CDU and FDP were split between 47 and 49 percent in both camps.

German environmental aid wants to completely abolish firecrackers

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has called on Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) to end the firecrackers “once and for all” this year.

With a few simple changes to the explosives ordinance, the minister could quickly put an end to environmentally harmful fireworks, said DUH federal manager Jürgen Resch to the editorial network Germany (RND).

"There are many arguments for a ban on black powder rockets and firecrackers: air pollution and thousands of tons of waste, millions of frightened and suffering animals, house fires and many thousands of injured children and adults," said Resch.

Cities and municipalities should also do without classic fireworks.

"Municipalities can also ensure a colorful turn of the year with creative light and laser shows or even a drone show."

According to information from the Federal Environment Ministry, the decision to ban firecrackers on New Year's Eve lies with the cities and districts.

"The annual fireworks on New Year's Eve can temporarily increase particulate matter pollution in municipalities.

How high this load actually is on site depends on many factors," a spokesman for the Federal Environment Ministry told the RND.

These included, for example, the local weather conditions and the number of fireworks burned off.

"It makes sense for the cities and districts themselves to decide whether a 'Böllerban' has to be imposed."