By Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
We read with serious concern the announcement by the Local Government Development Minister, YB Nga Kor Ming, that the cabinet had agreed to legalise and regulate fireworks and firecrackers in the country. The reasons provided for this move are to “halt the smuggling of these items” and “to gain from the duties on these items”.
Fireworks have been illegal since 1955, and are classified in the same category as dynamite. The cabinet must realise why fireworks and firecrackers were banned in the first place.
Fireworks and firecrackers can be dangerous, occasionally fatal, often resulting in serious permanent injury. Children are especially vulnerable since they are unaware of the dangers. Common injuries include burns, cuts, lost fingers and damage to the eyes. As senior doctors (paediatricians, surgeons and public health specialists) who have worked with the damaging effects of fireworks, we have experienced personally the numerous children that have lost their fingers and eyes; resulting in life-long disability. For every child or adult who is injured there are many traumatised family members. Those who are older will remember how our media was full of images, at every festival season, of children damaged by fireworks.
There is extensive research to support this experience in many countries where fireworks are still not banned. In the United States firework injuries have been increasing over time. Local research has shown that, when we do not have a fireworks ban, the easy access to fireworks leads to explosive homemade devices which are even more devastating.
We need to recognise that fireworks have other deleterious effects. Fireworks contribute to air and noise pollution, and are very stressful for pets and wildlife. Young parents are up in arms against otherwise friendly neighbours who blast firecrackers causing untold fear and distress to their children. Not to mention the increased fire risk to houses and buildings.
It is not logical to use the inability to prevent an item from being smuggled as a good excuse to remove a ban. What we require is better enforcement. A civilised society, aka Madani culture which the Prime Minister has made the clarion call of his new administration, would maintain such a ban. Note that Hong Kong has banned fireworks since the 1960s and Singapore since 1972.
Instead of removing this ban, the government should instruct the relevant government agencies to better enforce the fireworks ban as well as promote education about its dangers. Parents should be encouraged to educate their children about the dangers of fireworks. The media has an important role in highlighting the danger fireworks and firecrackers pose to children.
Fireworks related injuries are preventable and we appeal to the government to maintain the ban. The solution to illegal and dangerous activities is enforcement, not legalisation. And no amount of taxes and duties collected will be enough to protect the health and safety of our children.
If the cabinet legalises fireworks and firecrackers in the country, then
- every child or person that loses eyes or fingers
- every child or person that become permanently disabled
- every child or person whose future is impaired
will be the government’s doing.
