Sainsbury's, one of the largest supermarkets in the UK, have announced their decision to not sell fireworks this year, in any of its 2,300 stores. Animal lovers have praised the move, with owners citing the distress fireworks cause. Other supermarkets do not seem to have any plans to follow suit.
The tide of popularity seems to be turning for fireworks. Last year in the UK, a petition to ban the sale of fireworks to unlicensed venues gained 307,897 signatures. More recently a public consultation in Scotland found that (of 16,000 respondents) 94% wanted tighter controls of the sale of fireworks (of course, it is possible that the people who were more concerned were the people who responded to the consultation).
So, wise denizens of NSG, is the tide turning for fireworks? Are Sainsbury's vanguards or party-poopers?
Should the future of events such as New Years' and Bonfire night be glow sticks for public sale and only carefully regulated, licensed public displays? Or would such restrictions symbolise rejecting old traditions of 'gunpowder, treason and plot' for new notions such as health and safety? Is even a regulated display too risky for humans and traumatising for pets -- should fireworks be banned outright?