Norway:
Last explosive celebration
A new law forbidding private fireworks from the end of 2008 will mean one last chance for ordinary Norwegians to indulge their passion for ending the year with a bang.
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The regular toll of personal injuries and material damage resulting from the Norwegian mania for firing off New Year's fireworks has led Minister of Justice (and Police) Knut Storberget to introduce a ban on launchable fireworks and fireworks that look like children's toys.
"The changes will lead to safer New Year's celebrations," Storberget said.
During last year's celebrations 128 people were injured and 23 buildings damaged by fire. At least 20 people suffered serious eye injury linked to fireworks on New Year's Eve, two were blinded and several others suffered major burns and destroyed fingers and hands.
Fireworks that remain on the ground will still be allowed. The new regulations will likely promote major public firework displays.
The Norwegian Financial Services Association (FNH) welcomed the ban, and hoped that it would be extended to cover explosive ground fireworks as well, a policy supported by the Directorate of Police.
Oslo Police Commissioner Anstein Gjengedal is not in favor of a ban, fearing that it will have greater negative effects.
"We believe that such a ban will have limited effect because experience from test communities have not show any marked reduction in the number of reported injuries," Gjengedal said. Gjengedal fears that a total ban will lead to more illegal production and sales of the most dangerous fireworks, and that implementing the ban will be difficult for both police and firefighting officials.
"There are plenty of opportunities for the purchase and import of fireworks on the Internet, which is not easily controlled. Fireworks procured in this way will also not be liable to the same quality control as those in legal circulation," Gjengedal said.
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