Up in smoke

It is a tradition for businesses to set off firecrackers to mark their first day of business after the Spring Festival, as the snap and pop are meant to bring good luck and prosperity.

However, it is unreasonable and even ridiculous that some local government departments in some northeastern provinces have been doing the same.

People traditionally set off firecrackers to mark such occasions as weddings, celebrations or launch ceremonies for new businesses. But the hazards of fireworks are apparent - the waste of money and resources, the resulting air and environmental pollution and the risk of injury. These are some of the reasons why fireworks were banned in many cities a couple of years ago.