Fireworks have been banned in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, by the local government.
Firework prohibition regulations ban fireworks completely in Zhengzhou, including its five administrative districts and four development zones from Jan. 1. People who break the rules will be fined up to 500 yuan (80 U.S. dollars). Producing, selling and storing fireworks are also prohibited.
Shanghai has imposed a similar ban within the outer ring road also from Jan. 1. A man caught setting off fireworks in a plaza in the center of Shanghai on New Year's Day was fined 100 yuan by local police.
Containing sulphur-coal compounds and toxic chemicals, fireworks can severely affect the air quality index and are a major cause of fire. There were 225 fires reported on March 3, last year in Zhengzhou, when people celebrated Lantern festival.
