Beijing sees 41% fall in sales of fireworks

Sales of fireworks fell 41 percent in Beijing during the Spring Festival holiday, reported local newspaper on Wednesday.

About 170,800 boxes of fireworks and crackers were sold in the city, down 110,000 boxes from last year's holiday, according to Beijing Times.

The sales dropped due to rising awareness of environmental issues and shortened sales period, said Pan Di, general manager of Beijing Panda Fireworks Co, according to Beijing Times.

Retail stands in Beijing were only allowed to sell fireworks from Feb 13 to 24, as the authorities pushed for a less polluted Spring Festival. The sales period was 10 days shorter compared to last year.