Closed petition Ban sale of fireworks to the public and limit sales to licensed displays only

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

• 7 December 2022

  Petition closed

• 15 November 2022

  Government responded to this petition

  The Government has no current plans to ban the sale of fireworks to the public but continues to monitor the situation. We believe the majority of individuals use fireworks safely and appropriately.

  Read the response in full

  The Government endorses the considerate use of fireworks, and we recognise that people want to enjoy fireworks, while reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals, and property.

  Existing legislation controls the sale, availability, and use of fireworks. For example, there is an 11pm curfew in place for the use of fireworks, with later exceptions only for the traditional firework periods of November 5th, Diwali, New Year’s Eve and the Chinese New Year. Using fireworks outside the curfew hours is a criminal offence enforced by the police and can lead to imprisonment and a substantial fine.
   
  Legislation also restricts retailers to only selling consumer fireworks during seasonal celebrations as those set out above and even then, retailers may still need a licence, depending on the quantity they wish to store and sell. Retailers may only supply fireworks outside these traditional periods if they obtain a specialised licence from their local licensing authority. Local authority trading standards work with retailers to ensure fireworks sold are safe, and they have powers to enforce against those who place non-compliant fireworks on the market. Trading standards (and local fire and rescue authorities in metropolitan counties) can also enforce against those selling fireworks without an appropriate licence.
     
  A number of organisations provide advice and guidance to enable people to use fireworks safely and appropriately. However, where local issues are identified, councils and the police have the powers they need to protect the public from misuse and harm.

  Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

• 31 October 2022

  Government will respond to this petition

  This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.

• 23 May 2022

  Petition published

  This petition can now be signed.

  If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

  If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

  This petition will stay open until 7 December 2022.