Public attitudes towards fireworks in Scotland: representative omnibus survey

Use of fireworks in Scotland

Views on more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland

The survey asked respondents about their views on whether there should be more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland. Respondents were provided with a description of current controls prior to answering the question (see Appendix B). 

As shown in Figure 3, the majority (68%) of respondents said there should be more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland, while a quarter (26%) said that they would not welcome more control.

Figure 3: Views on more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland

Q4. Do you think there should be more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland? 
Base (all): 1,002

Six per cent said they don’t know whether there should be more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland. Again, this is despite the survey presenting a succinct explanation of current legislation dealing with how fireworks can be used in Scotland (see Appendix B).

Sub-group analysis

Respondents living in the most deprived areas were equally likely to support more controls as those living in less deprived areas (69% for most deprived SIMD and 67% for other areas).  

The sub-groups most likely to say there should be more control on how fireworks can be used were:

• Women (75% vs. 59% for men)
• C2DE socio-economic group (71% vs 65% for ABC1 socio-economic group)
• Respondents living in urban areas (71% vs. 55% for rural)

The sub-groups most likely to say there shouldn’t be more control were:

• 18-24 year olds (38% vs. 22%-25% for other age groups)
• There were three significant differences by geographical area: Respondents living in North East Scotland were more likely to say there shouldn’t be more control compared to those in West Scotland, Central Scotland, and Lothians (35% vs. 18% for West Scotland, 21% for Central and 24% for Lothians)
• However, it is important to note that while all of these sub-groups were more likely to say there shouldn’t be more control, the majority of each group still supported greater control on how fireworks can be used – 51% of 18-24 year olds; 58% of those living in North East Scotland.

Reasons for view on more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland

Respondents were asked in an open-ended question why they hold the view they do on whether there should be more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland. As previously noted, responses to this question were categorised and summarised in the following tables. Respondents’ answers may have been categorised into multiple themes. 

The base sizes are based on respondents who said they either supported more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland or against more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland at Q4. and chose to provide an open-ended answer at Q5.

Reasons for being in favour of more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland 

Responses from those who said they were in favour of more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland were consistent with responses given when asked about an outright ban to the public. The most common response related to the potential for danger/injury from fireworks (31%), followed by animal welfare (22%), and anti-social noise and disturbances (20%). There were those who would welcome fireworks only to be used at organised events (19%). Issues around the use of fireworks at unsociable hours were also highlighted as a possible area of control (19%). Greater control that would stop youths getting access to them (18%) was also a theme highlighted throughout the responses.

Table 4: Themes associated with support for more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland

Reason for supporting more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland	No.	%
Danger/injury	217	31%
Animal welfare	152	22%
Noise/disturbance/anti-social	136	20%
Used at unsociable times	129	19%
Youths get them	127	18%
Used too many days	76	11%
Restricted/harder to get	58	8%
Used in inappropriate places	30	4%
Policing needed/rules ignored	27	4%
Scares children/elderly/mentally ill	27	4%
Other	9	1%

Q5. Please tell us why you think that about controlling the use of fireworks.  
Base (would support more control over how fireworks can be used): 691

“I have seen some accidents taking place due to fireworks, and I also know that they are very harmful to the environment, thus I believe that only experienced people should be able to buy and handle them and this should only happen on very special occasions.” (18-24, Female, Urban)

“I wasn't aware that fireworks could be let off as late as midnight. That is ridiculously late. Most people with jobs/small children/pets are in bed by then. Ice cream vans etc., are not allowed to play their tune after 8pm, as far as I am aware, and that is much less intrusive (and safer!) than fireworks.” (55+, Female, Urban)

“We live in a rural area and find that the disturbance to livestock as well as domestic pets is exacerbated by extended use of fireworks. Very infrequent single night use can be tolerated but for this last bonfire night fireworks were released on 5 consecutive nights. Banning noise making (bangs and wails) fireworks might be a way forward to reducing animal distress.” (55+, Male, Rural)

“I think fireworks should only be allowed at events run by regulated and restricted bodies with the authorisation to hold such events for things like Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve. I also think silent fireworks should be introduced so there’s less noise pollution and frightened animals as a result of fireworks.” (18-24, Female, Urban)

Reasons for not being in favour of more control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland 

Respondents who said they would not welcome more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland were also asked why they hold this view. Just less than half of these respondents focused on the perception that the status quo is ok (47% of responses). Consistent with responses to the previous question, this was followed by ensuring that the public’s freedom isn’t infringed upon (18%). Around a tenth of responses suggested that further policing was necessary and that current rules are simply ignored (12%). Again, there were those who noted that most are responsible/few are not (10%) and that further control isn’t necessary because there is only minor problems/no problems with fireworks in Scotland (8%).

Table 5: Themes associated with not supporting more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland

Reason for not supporting more control over how fireworks can be used in Scotland	No.	%
Status quo is OK	119	47%
Freedom	46	18%
Policing needed/rules ignored	30	12%
Most are responsible/few not	24	10%
No problems/minor problems	21	8%
Joy/fun	21	8%
Other	1	<0%

Q5. Please tell us why you think that about controlling the use of fireworks.  
Base (would not support more control over how fireworks can be used): 251

“7am to 11pm seems reasonable, and it makes sense to have later curfews on significant holiday dates. To reduce that would be unnecessary. Plus who would bother during daytime hours, you can't see them.” (25-34, Female)^[7]

“This is becoming too much like a nanny state. Why should the minority idiots (who misuse fireworks) prevent the majority from enjoying something which (in my case) we’ve done without incident for sixty years.” (55+, Male, Urban)

“These are times of celebration that only happen a few times a year, they are enjoyed by most. People are old enough to be responsible enough to know how to use them.” (18-24, Female, Urban)

“I might support a 10pm end for the setting off of fireworks during the autumn/ winter months. But apart from that I am happy with the current timings.” (35-44, Male, Urban)