Fireworks ban fizzles out due to lack of forethought

ON SATURDAY, Central China’s Henan province issued a notice extending its fireworks ban to cover all urban and rural regions. Yet two days later, it withdrew the decision and suspended the total ban because of opposition from residents and fireworks sellers. The total ban is a good idea to fight air pollution, but it requires a well thought out and practical plan for its implementation, says people.com.cn:

Fireworks are considered part of the traditional celebrations for the Lunar New Year, but they are also a main source of air pollution during that period. Tests show that the density of PM2.5, the minute particles that are extremely harmful to human health, can reach 400 to 500 micrograms per cubic meter after fireworks are set off. Tradition is no excuse for harming people’s health.

That’s why a total ban on fireworks during the Spring Festival period is necessary. It might be hard for some people to accept it, but the fact is that setting off fireworks as part of people’s Spring Festival celebrations belongs to the past and should be gradually abandoned.

However, the Henan provincial government issued the total ban in the wrong way. It takes time to change tradition, yet the Henan provincial government did not inform local residents until two weeks before Spring Festival, which meant the local residents were psychologically unprepared for the ban.

Besides, a total ban hurts the interests of fireworks manufacturers and sellers. After the total ban was made public, a petition signed by local fireworks manufacturers was issued online, which said they would suffer heavily because they pre-signed many contracts long before the ban was announced.

Reports say that after reconsideration the Henan provincial government decided to suspend the implementation of the total ban. The incident should remind local officials to plan well and inform residents well in advance before implementing decisions. Had the Henan provincial government issued the total ban earlier, the firework businesses might not have signed long-term contracts, and local residents might have been more willing to accept it.

A good ban has to be suspended for lack of practicality — that should be a lesson for all officials.