Doctors: limiting fireworks a "first step"

Doctors organizations have called it “a first step in the right direction” that the Cabinet’s has announced intentions to curtail the year-end fireworks tradition.

According to a spokesperson for the organizations –among whom are the association of Dutch Eyedoctors NOG and the Eye Clinic of Rotterdam-, what they would ultimately want is a full-out prohibition of people setting off fireworks themselves. The Cabinet announced Wednesday night that at the next turn of the year, fireworks may only be set off on New Year’s Eve, from 6.00pm till 2.00am January 1. In addition fireworks may only be sold on December 30 and 31. “As long as people are not forbidden to light fireworks themselves, we advise that those doing it and those watching it put on protective fireworks glasses, We are not against fireworks; we too think it’s beautiful to see, but it should not be the last thing you see,” the spokesperson said.