Beijing sees 38 pct slump in fireworks sales

Fireworks sales in Beijing have slumped 37.7 percent this Spring Festival holiday season as more people shun them amid worries about worsening the city's air pollution.

Local residents bought 195,000 boxes of fireworks between Lunar New Year Eve on Jan. 30 and Feb. 4, down 37.7 percent from a year earlier, the Beijing municipal public security bureau said in a statement Wednesday.

Prior to the Lunar New Year holiday, authorities and environmentalists had called on residents to cut spending on fireworks, as severe smoggy weather has become a constant source of public anger and complaints.

During the six days from Lunar New Year Eve to Feb. 4, 108 people were injured while setting off fireworks, down 34.5 percent from the same period a year ago, the bureau said.

There were no reports of deaths or loss of eyes.

During the period, local police received 7.4 percent fewer reports of fires caused by fireworks than a year ago, it said.

The Chinese have a tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year with fireworks to add to the festival atmosphere and fend off evil spirits and bad luck.