The President of the German Federal Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, has issued a stark warning to federal and state interior ministers, urging them to swiftly fulfill their responsibility to protect the population, particularly in the escalating debate surrounding a potential firework ban for New Year’s Eve. Reinhardt’s call, delivered to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, directly criticizes inaction and highlights the mounting social, environmental and economic costs associated with unregulated firework displays.
Reinhardt rejects the notion that a ban represents an imposition of restrictive “prohibitory culture” instead framing it as a marker of societal maturity and an understanding of the dangers posed by unchecked pyrotechnics. He distinguishes between organized, centrally located fireworks, which he supports and the “wild” and indiscriminate use of firecrackers that consistently results in injuries, not only to users but also to bystanders. These injuries, he notes, disproportionately affect children and adolescents, leading to trauma, eye damage and burns, burdening hospitals and incurring significant costs for the statutory health insurance system.
Beyond the physical toll, Reinhardt emphasizes the increasingly volatile context in which these celebrations occur. He points to the recurring instances of firecrackers being weaponized against law enforcement, fire services and emergency responders, a trend that demands immediate intervention. However, perhaps the most politically charged aspect of his statement concerns the sensitivity of the situation for the over one million Ukrainian, Syrian and Gazan refugees currently living in Germany. Reinhardt argues that the noise and spectacle of firework displays are deeply triggering for individuals who have recently experienced the horrors of war, frequently inducing feelings of terror and trauma reminiscent of the bombs and artillery they fled.
The pressure is mounting on German politicians to take decisive action, with Reinhardt’s impassioned plea serving as a potent reminder of the serious consequences – both medical and humanitarian – of continued inaction. While the interior ministers face pressure from various sectors concerned with tradition and individual freedoms, Reinhardt’s appeal underscores the moral imperative of prioritizing public safety and demonstrating empathy toward vulnerable populations. The debate now centers on whether the tradition of unrestrained New Year’s Eve celebrations can be reconciled with the pressing needs of a society grappling with evolving challenges and a heightened awareness of collective responsibility.
