Doctors are calling for cigarette-style warnings on firework packaging

Doctors are calling for graphic cigarette-style warnings to be introduced to firework packaging.

The calls come after the number of patients attended A&E due to firework related injuries more than doubled in recent years, despite numerous safety campaigns.

Experts from the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) say more needs to be done to make people aware of the dangers of firework misuse and believe shocking images of real life injuries might help highlight the risks.

In 2017-18, 4,436 people in England were treated in A&E departments because of an injury caused by a firework, compared with 2,141 in 2009-10.

Half of all people admitted to hospital due to fireworks last year were aged 18 or under and four out of five were male.

BAPRAS said that in recent years there had been a positive shift towards more responsible marketing for other products which pose a threat to health and wellbeing, including gambling, alcohol, cigarettes and junk food, but firework packaging contains warnings buried in small boxes on the back.

Research carried out by YouGov found that nearly 70% of parents in Great Britain would support the introduction of graphic warnings on firework packaging.

The hope is the warnings might make people consider the potentially life-changing consequences in the moments immediately before use.

Commenting on the campaign, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and President of BAPRAS, David Ward, said:

“We are extremely concerned about the continued misuse of fireworks, particularly by those under the age of 18 away from organised events. Although packaged in a jovial, toy-like fashion, people forget that when using fireworks, they are handling explosives which can cause extremely serious injuries that may require extensive reconstructive surgery.

“With many of our surgeons having to attend to these types of injuries each year, BAPRAS are calling on the Government to make a common-sense change by legislating to ensure all firework packaging in the UK includes mandatory graphic warning notices, similar to those found on cigarette packaging.”

Offering his support to the campaign, Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse Jim Fitzpatrick MP said:

“The alarming figures raised by BAPRAS today make clear the urgent need for Government to introduce graphic warnings on firework packaging demonstrating the dangers of misuse. We have sensibly legislated to ensure the risks of other harmful products such as smoking and alcohol are made clear on packaging – without similar changes for fireworks, I fear the numbers of those injured will only continue to rise.”

The news comes as it was revealed last year that setting off fireworks at home could even be illegal.

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