The German Medical Association’s president is intensifying pressure on federal and state interior ministers to proactively safeguard public wellbeing through decisive action regarding New Year’s Eve fireworks. Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, in a statement to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, urged immediate intervention, arguing that inaction constitutes a dereliction of responsibility.
Reinhardt’s call for regulation isn’t a blanket rejection of celebratory displays. He explicitly acknowledged the value of organized firework shows in designated locations but forcefully condemned the pervasive and largely uncontrolled nature of private firework usage. He dismissed any accusations of fostering a “prohibition culture” insisting instead that the proposal represents a hallmark of a mature and socially conscious society willing to forgo potentially dangerous practices.
The current situation, Reinhardt highlighted, frequently results in significant and preventable injuries. He emphasized the recurring trauma experienced by children and adolescents, alongside a worrying increase in ocular injuries and severe burns requiring hospital treatment. This onslaught impacts hospitals and significantly burdens the statutory health insurance system with millions of euros in associated costs annually.
Beyond the physical toll, concerns extend to the escalating use of fireworks as weapons against emergency services personnel – police, fire departments and paramedics – a trend that underscores the potential for public disorder and violence. A particularly sensitive point raised by Reinhardt was the profound distress caused by fireworks to the large population of war refugees residing in Germany, many hailing from conflict zones such as Ukraine, Syria and Gaza. He argued that the celebratory explosions trigger traumatic memories of bombs and artillery fire, inducing intense fear and anxiety – a deeply insensitive reality given their circumstances. The argument suggests a profound disconnect between celebratory displays and the lived experiences of a significant portion of the German population. Reinhardt’s plea effectively frames the debate as one of public safety, social responsibility and a demonstration of empathy towards vulnerable residents.