Doctor's President Reinhardt Calls for Fireworks Ban to Protect Population - German doctors demand a nationwide ban on private New Year’s fireworks by 2027
The president of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, has pushed for a nationwide ban on private fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations. He argues that unregulated fireworks cause injuries, terrify humans, and harm the environment. Yet no government body has taken responsibility for implementing such a ban by the proposed deadline of Silvester 2026/2027.
Reinhardt’s call follows years of incidents where fireworks have been used as weapons against police, firefighters, and emergency responders. He highlights that severe injuries—including eye damage, burns, and acoustic trauma—frequently send people, especially children, to emergency rooms. The resulting medical costs burden the statutory health insurance system.
The issue extends beyond physical harm. Many refugees from Ukraine and Syria, already traumatised by war, experience panic attacks when fireworks explode. Reinhardt describes it as insensitive to celebrate with loud explosions while over a million war refugees live in Germany. Environmental concerns also play a role. Fireworks contribute to air pollution and generate vast amounts of waste. Reinhardt suggests that organised public displays in controlled areas could replace private use, similar to the Netherlands’ upcoming ban. He has directly urged federal and state interior ministers to act. So far, however, no authority has stepped forward to enforce the proposed restrictions.
Without a designated body to oversee the ban, Reinhardt’s proposal remains unenforced. The medical, social, and environmental risks of private fireworks persist, leaving emergency services, humans, and the public exposed to annual hazards. The 2026/2027 target date for a ban now depends on political action.
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