Public attitudes towards fireworks in Scotland: representative omnibus survey

Conclusions

Overview

This survey provides a robust sample of views on the use and regulation of fireworks in Scotland. The overall sample achieved was 1,002 and is representative of the Scottish population, giving a high degree of confidence in the results.

Views on increasing control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland

A strong majority of 71% would support increasing control over the sale of fireworks in Scotland. 

Women were more likely than men to say they would welcome increased controls; however, a majority of both male and females were in favour. Young respondents, aged 18-24 years old, were more likely than all other age groups to say they would not welcome an increase in control over the sale of fireworks. Those living in rural areas of Scotland were also less likely than those living in urban areas to support an increase in control. It should be noted, however, that the majority of both of 18-24 year olds and people living in rural areas were in favour of more control.

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

Almost three in five (58%) would support banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland.

Women were more likely than men to support a ban on selling fireworks to the public. Again, young respondents were much less likely than all other age groups to support banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland. Those living in rural areas were, again, less likely than those living in urban areas to support a ban. 

Views in favour of banning the sale of fireworks were largely driven by the potential dangers associated with fireworks, followed by issues around animal welfare, noise disturbance, and youth acquiring fireworks for anti-social purposes. Most of the open-ended comments related to the respondents’ personal experiences. 

The majority of views against banning the sale of fireworks related to a perception that such a ban would infringe on the public’s freedom in an unnecessary way, followed by the fun and joy experienced by people across Scotland because of fireworks. Some also felt that a ban would disproportionately impact the majority of people because of the irresponsible behaviour of a few.

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

A strong majority of 68% would support increasing control on how fireworks can be used in Scotland.

Women were more likely than men to say there should be more control on how fireworks can be used. Those in the C2DE socio-economic group were more likely than those in the ABC1 socio-economic group to say there should be more control. Consistent with previous findings, younger respondents were less likely to support more control on how fireworks can be used, while those living in North East Scotland were less likely to support more control than respondents living in West Scotland, Central Scotland, and Lothians. Urban areas of Scotland are more likely than those living in rural areas to say there should be more control.

Views in favour and against increasing control on how fireworks can be used were consistent with previous comments relating to banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland. Those in favour of more controls cited the potential dangers associated with fireworks, issues around animal welfare, and noise disturbance. Those against more controls mentioned a perception that controls would infringe on the public’s freedom in an unnecessary way, they would spoil the fun and joy experienced by people across Scotland because of fireworks, and that more controls would disproportionality impact the majority of people because of the irresponsible behaviour of a few. Again, most of the open-ended comments related to the respondents’ personal experiences.