26 No more bangers for cash
Resolution submitted by the RCN Swansea Branch
That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to lobby government to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public
- Work led by the Public Policy Committee
- Lead RCN Council member: Robert Sowney
The debate at Congress 2007 was divided, and the vote was very close. Arguments for a ban included the number of avoidable injuries and the cost and increased workload to the NHS; arguments against included clinicians reporting rarely seeing firework injuries, a worrying move towards a ‘nanny’ state, and the fear that a ban would lead to a blackmarket in dangerous and substandard fireworks.
Over the last year RCN staff have worked with the RCN Swansea Branch to consider what realistic outcomes could be achieved, in terms of moving this agenda item forward. The Professional Nursing Department has worked with parliamentary and policy leads in all four UK countries to establish the current legal situation and assess any political will to change legislation. It has been established that the issue of lobbying the government to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public is complicated by differing approaches and legislative instruments being in force in different parts of the UK. Work is ongoing to establish face-to-face meetings with the key UK lobbying groups campaigning for a firework ban.
Work by RCN Scotland has established that, due to recent local legislation changes, there is no appetite or realistic potential to develop this work there because of the already heavy legislative and policy programme. RCN Wales has met with officials from the Welsh Assembly Government to raise the issue of firework safety and is continuing to discuss the issue. Northern Ireland already has a stronger legislative position than the rest of the UK, due to a licensing system around the sale of fireworks. RCN Northern Ireland is currently seeking the views of local politicians, but early assessment suggests that there is little political will for a change in legislation.
Detailed analysis of all recent parliamentary activity and parliamentary questions asked around the issue of firework safety has identified that there is little parliamentary interest or desire to discuss a ban. The fact that the government has recently decided to abandon the annual collection and analysis of firework related injuries is a further illustration that it regards the issue as a low political priority. A list of all MPs with an interest in the issue of firework safety has been drawn up, and the RCN has written to these MPs to ascertain their current views and explore the possibility of laying down further parliamentary questions.