Cyprus proposes tougher penalties for illegal fireworks launches

At a meeting of the parliamentary environment committee, a bill was discussed that provides for stricter measures against illegal fireworks launches. According to the proposal, fines for such offenses could be increased tenfold.

The committee chairman, Charalambos Theopemptou, stressed that the problem of illegal use of pyrotechnics has been discussed for many years. The amendments propose assigning control responsibility to the police, who can respond promptly around the clock. “Anyone who breaks the law must understand that fines have been increased and the police have the right to intervene immediately,” he noted. Permits for the use of pyrotechnics will continue to be issued by the Ministry of Mining.

Special attention is paid to nighttime hours, when most launches occur. For this purpose, the police will be granted authority to control the situation directly at the time of the offense.

DISY party MP Prodromos Alambritis stated that uncontrolled use of pyrotechnics causes suffering to people and animals, as well as increasing the risk of fires. According to him, the bill is moving in the right direction, as it expands the powers of the chief of police and places responsibility not only on the offender but also on the property owner or event organizer where the fireworks are launched.

DIKO MP Christos Orfanides noted that the problem is large-scale and affects the whole of Cyprus. He emphasized that the main goal of the bill is preventive. “Fines will be ten times higher than current ones,” he said.

Thus, the initiative being discussed in parliament is aimed at significantly tightening penalties for illegal use of pyrotechnics, strengthening police powers, and introducing additional responsibility for event organizers and property owners where violations take place.