Survey: Majority back national fireworks ban as New Year’s approaches
A majority of people in the Netherlands support a nationwide fireworks ban set to take effect in 2026, but say it will only be effective if enforcement is tightened, according to a survey by Ipsos I&O commissioned by Binnenlands Bestuur.
The research shows that 62 percent of respondents view the national fireworks ban positively or very positively. At the same time, skepticism about enforcement is widespread, with 83 percent saying the ban will only make sense if authorities crack down more strictly.
Opposition remains substantial. One in five respondents, or 20 percent, view the ban negatively or very negatively, while 15 percent say they are neither positive nor negative.
Despite doubts, most people say they intend to comply once the ban takes effect. According to the survey, 83 percent say they will follow the rules in 2026. About 10 percent say they will ignore the ban and continue setting off fireworks, while 7 percent say they do not yet know what they will do.
Support for the ban varies sharply by political preference. Voters for GroenLinks-PvdA are the strongest backers, with 75 percent saying they are very positive and another 16 percent positive. Majorities of D66 and CDA voters also support the ban. Among VVD voters, 54 percent are positive or very positive, though uncertainty is highest in this group, with about one-fifth neither supporting nor opposing the measure. Support among JA21 voters stands at 49 percent.
Resistance is strongest among PVV and Forum voor Democratie voters. PVV supporters are divided, with 39 percent positive or very positive and 40 percent negative. Opposition is more pronounced among Forum voor Democratie voters, where 45 percent judge the ban negatively or very negatively, compared with 32 percent who view it positively or very positively.
Those who support the ban cite safety as a key reason. “Many people emphasize that the fireworks ban will contribute to general safety around New Year’s, for both people and animals,” Ipsos I&O researcher Dionne van Lint said.
Even so, confidence in enforcement is low. A majority of respondents, 58 percent, believe a nationwide fireworks ban cannot be effectively enforced, underscoring concerns that the policy may fall short without stronger oversight and action by authorities.
