01/09/25 Over 10,000 Signatures Collected for a Ban on Fireworks, Signing Continues!

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Petitions and public surveys show that the vast majority of citizens demand drastic tightening of the law

- Animal Friends Croatia has written to Minister Božinović, requesting urgent amendments to the Explosives Act

In just a few days since Animal Friends Croatia launched a petition to ban noisy fireworks, over 10,000 signatures have been collected! A similar petition from citizens shows comparable results, while public surveys indicate that around 80% of citizens support the ban.

"We have also sent a letter to Minister Davor Božinović, requesting urgent amendments to the Explosives Act and the Act on the Production and Trade of Weapons. We have appealed to the Ministry of the Interior to ban the sale and use of all other noisy fireworks from categories F2 and F3, in addition to already banned firecrackers, allow the sale of permitted fireworks only from December 29 to 31, permit the use of allowed light fireworks only from 11 PM on December 31 to 1 AM on January 1, and impose a ban on advertising fireworks and their sale in general stores,” said Snježana Klopotan Kačavenda, Project Coordinator at Animal Friends Croatia.

As long as fireworks are allowed, nothing can stop individuals from using them

She reminded that during the past holiday season and New Year’s celebrations, the police, firefighters, and medical staff were overwhelmed with incidents due to the misuse of fireworks: “Cities turned into war zones as fireworks were set off at all hours. Unfortunately, despite efforts, it’s clear that the police cannot effectively prevent the harmful consequences of fireworks through the ‘Peace and Goodwill’ campaign. Once noisy fireworks are permitted for citizens, nothing can stop them from using them. Additionally, it’s contradictory to urge parents not to buy fireworks for their children and to tell children not to use them because they are not toys, when they see them on store shelves and in advertisements promoting them as entertainment.”

Klopotan Kačavenda added that it’s absurd and illogical that in Croatia, noisy fireworks are allowed from December 27, during regular working days when no celebrations are happening: “Setting off fireworks on those days disrupts the peace of citizens just as much as during the rest of the year. It has been shown that the police cannot prevent this. If we want to reduce injuries to children, animal fatalities, and environmental pollution, we need concrete, drastic measures that will completely ban the use and promotion of noisy fireworks.”

Terrorizing citizens with fireworks as loud as the strongest firecrackers

Animal Friends Croatia emphasizes that the Ministry of the Interior banned the sale, purchase, possession, and use of firecrackers and strings from categories F2 and F3 for personal use in 2021 for a reason: “The goal was to prevent and reduce injuries to people (especially children) and animals, and to prevent extremely loud explosions that negatively affect vulnerable groups (the sick, autistic individuals, the elderly, veterans, those with PTSD, etc.) and animals. Although this ban has had results, citizens still use other fireworks from categories F2 and F3 (e.g., aerial bombs, rockets, etc.) that contain significant amounts of explosive substances, with noise levels equal to the strongest firecrackers. A minority of citizens terrorize their neighbors throughout December by setting off noisy fireworks with the same impact on people, animals, and the environment as firecrackers.”

Police: Explosions were caused by bombs, we will consider the issue of banning fireworks

The police have confirmed that the loud explosions citizens endured last month were indeed bombs, albeit without shrapnel. The Chief of Police announced that they would certainly consider the issue of a complete ban on such fireworks. This move would undoubtedly be welcomed by the majority of citizens who support the initiative to ban fireworks, aligning with initiatives in other European countries that are considering or have already implemented bans on noisy fireworks. The organization appeals for urgent action from the authorities to ensure a quieter and safer December this year.

Animal Friends Croatia urges everyone to sign and share the petition to ban all noisy fireworks and join the fight for holidays free from disturbances, wartime-like atmospheres, air and environmental pollution, and harm to people and animals.

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