Public attitudes towards fireworks in Scotland: representative omnibus survey

Sale of fireworks in Scotland

Views on increasing control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland

The survey asked respondents whether there should be more control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland. Respondents were provided with a description of current legislation prior to answering the question (see Appendix B).

As shown in Figure 1, the majority (71%) would support more control over the sale of fireworks. One in five (21%) said that there should not be more controls.

Figure 1: Views on whether there should be more control over the sale of fireworks

Q1. Do you think there should be more control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland? 
Base (all): 1,002

Eight per cent said they don’t know whether there should be more control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland. This is despite the survey presenting a succinct explanation of current legislation dealing with the sale of fireworks in Scotland.

Sub-group analysis

The sub-groups most likely to say there should be more control over the sale of fireworks were:

• Women (79% vs. 63% of men)
• There was only one significant difference by geographical area: People living in Central Scotland were more likely to say there should be more control compared to those in South Scotland (78% vs. 66% for South Scotland)
• Respondents living in urban areas (74% vs. 62% for rural)

The sub-groups most likely to say there should not be more control were:

• 18-24 year olds (40% vs. 14%-21% for other age groups). However, it is important to note that more young people still indicated they were in favour of more control (45%) than those who indicated they were not in favour (40%).

There were no significant differences identified by socio-economic group or SIMD quintiles.

Views on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

Respondents were given two statements and asked which of those statements best describes their views on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland. The statements were as follows:

• I would welcome a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland; and
• I would not welcome a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland. 

Over half of respondents said they would welcome a ban (58%), while a third (33%) said they would not welcome a ban on selling fireworks to the general public in Scotland (see Figure 2 below).

Figure 2: Views on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

Q2. Which ONE, if either, of the following statements best describes your view on banning the sale of fireworks, to the public, in Scotland?
Base (all): 1,002

Sub-group analysis

Sub-group analysis of views on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland were broadly consistent with those on more controls over the sale of fireworks in Scotland.

The sub-group most likely to say that they would welcome a ban was:

• Women (67% vs. 49% for men)

Those most likely to say that they would not welcome a ban were:

• 18-24 year olds (54% vs. 28%-32% for other age groups). Only 35% of 18-24 year olds said they would welcome a ban.
• Respondents living in rural areas (43% vs. 31% for urban). However, even in rural areas more were in favour of a ban (51%) than against (43%).

There were no significant differences identified by socio-economic group, geographical area, and SIMD quintile.

Reasons for view on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

Respondents were asked in an open-ended question why they hold the view they do on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland. Responses to this question were categorised and are summarised in the following tables. Respondents’ answers may have been categorised into multiple themes. The base sizes reflect the number of respondents who said they either supported a ban on selling fireworks to the public or were against a ban on selling fireworks to the public at Q2, and chose to provide an open-ended answer at Q3.

Reasons for supporting banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

The most common response from those who said they would support banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland related to the danger of serious injury posed by fireworks (mentioned in 56% of responses), followed by animal safety (36%), noise and disturbances at anti-social hours (33%), and youths get them and use them for illegitimate purposes (32%). There were also those that said fireworks should only be used at official, organised displays (24%). All other themes were mentioned less frequently.

Table 2: Themes associated with support for banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

Reason for supporting ban on the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland	No.	%
Dangerous/injury	338	56%
Animal welfare	215	36%
Noise/disturbance/anti-social	199	33%
Youths get them	194	32%
Want only organised displays	145	24%
Used too many days	87	14%
Restricted/harder to get	47	8%
Pollution/environment	21	3%
Used as a weapon/for arson	18	3%
Damage/debris on property	18	3%
Other	17	3%

Q3. Please tell us why you hold that view on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland.  
Base (would support a ban on fireworks): 601

“Fireworks are extremely dangerous and disturbing to animals. They should only be sold to organised community groups which have demonstrated that they have complete health and safety compliance.” (55+, Male, Rural)

“They aim them at people and it's also a horrible time for pets. The bangs and flashes go on for weeks and adults are really sick of it.” (55+, Female, Urban)

“They present a danger to other people and animals when they are in the wrong hands. There have been recent instances where gangs have terrorised housing estates with fireworks. Some people set fireworks off late at night causing a disturbance.” (45-54, Female, Urban)

“Fireworks are usually set off through the night in the weeks leading up to and after bonfire night and New Year’s. They are a pain, dangerous and the anti-social behaviour seen in Glasgow last year shows people are using them irresponsibly. If people are that desperate to see fireworks they should go to a public show.” (25-34, Female, Urban)

Reasons for not supporting banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

The most common responses among respondents who would not welcome a ban on selling fireworks to the public related to not encroaching on the public’s freedom (27%) and the joy/fun associated with fireworks (27%), followed by an assertion that most are responsible/few are not (21%). There were several comments suggesting that fireworks should be restricted/harder to get (15%), rather than an outright ban. There were also those who said the status quo is ok (12%), and banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland is unnecessary.

Table 3: Themes associated with not banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland

Reason for not supporting a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland	No.	%
Freedom	85	27%
Joy/fun	85	27%
Most are responsible/few are not	66	21%
Restricted/harder to get	46	15%
Status quo is ok	36	12%
No problems/minor problems	24	8%
Ban for young people	18	6%
Tradition	14	4%
Other	26	8%

Q3. Please tell us why you hold that view on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland.  
Base (would not support a ban on fireworks): 312

“Most normal people like to use them for entertainment and is part of growing up and experiencing life. To ban them would be to move towards an over censored society where we can't control ourselves.” (25-34, Female, Urban)

“Fireworks should be available to everyone. Fireworks don’t have to be dangerous, why would you want to stop anyone enjoying a firework display; people have being doing it for hundreds of years.” (55+, Male, Rural)

“Although I would support some more controls on the buying on fireworks, like the types of fireworks that could be bought, I don’t think a blanket ban is a proportional response to a small minority who abuse fireworks. I also don’t think pet owners should have the right to infringe on people buying fireworks. Having a pet is optional, as should the right to buy fireworks.” (25-34, Male, Urban)

“I feel that as long as there is a lot stronger, restrictive guidelines as to when and where fireworks can be used, I would feel safe. I think fireworks should only be used on the actual day of the holiday/festival not as it is now any random day around the day.” (45-54, Female)^[6]