Federal Council against popular initiative for restrictions on fireworks
Published: Wednesday, Jan 24th 2024, 13:10
Updated At: Wednesday, Jan 24th 2024, 13:10
Volver a Live Feed
The Federal Council rejects a popular initiative to ban private individuals from setting off loud fireworks. And it does not want a counter-proposal either in the constitution or at the legislative level. The legal basis for restricting fireworks already exists in the cantons and communes, it writes.
The "For a restriction on fireworks" initiative submitted at the beginning of November 2023 calls for Article 74a to be added to the Federal Constitution. This would ban the sale and use of fireworks that produce noise. The cantonal authorities can approve exceptions on request for events of supra-regional importance.
Into the air without noise
According to the text of the initiative, loud fireworks such as firecrackers and bangers should no longer be allowed to be sold to private individuals. Loud fireworks should also no longer be allowed to be set off by private individuals. Pyrotechnic products that can be set off without making noise should remain permitted.
The initiative is supported by the Fireworks Initiative Association, with partners including the Swiss Animal Protection STS, Vier Pfoten, the Foundation for Animals in Law and the Franz Weber Foundation. Numerous other animal welfare and environmental organizations support the initiative. Political parties are not involved.
According to the press release, the Federal Council is aware that loud fireworks are perceived as a nuisance by some of the population and can trigger severe reactions in animals. However, the noise and the fine dust emissions from fireworks also claimed by the initiative committee are limited in time and comparatively low.
Positive Emotionen
In contrast, the initiators claim that no one is interested in time restrictions for fireworks. Fireworks fans do not stick to August 1st and New Year's Eve. If fireworks and firecrackers were set off on other days, it would be difficult for the police to find the troublemakers.
The Federal Council writes that many people in the country associate the setting off of fireworks with very positive emotions. In its opinion, nationwide restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks are therefore unnecessary and disproportionate.
In addition, cantons and municipalities already have legal bases for restricting loud fireworks. However, many cities and municipalities are already exercising their right to allow or prohibit fireworks only in certain places or at certain times, or to make them subject to a permit requirement.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic