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.

The ban was eventually lifted in the face of complaints that the absence of firecrackers dampened people's mood at celebrations. But that does not mean that fireworks should be encouraged. Nor does it mean that the harm caused by fireworks has been reduced.

It has been reported that the fireworks set off by Beijingers during the past week yielded more than 5,600 tons of garbage. That is double the volume of such garbage created during the entirety of the last Spring Festival.

It is obvious that residents have been more enthusiastic about setting off firecrackers. The result? More pollution and increased probabilities of fire and injury.

It would be arbitrary to condemn this tradition as a bad thing, completely lacking merit. However, this does not change the fact that fireworks are not good for the environment. Resources are wasted both in the explosions and the effort that goes into cleaning up the mess afterwards.

Governments at various levels should be presenting a good example by not setting off firecrackers and trying their best to teach people to limit the amount of firecrackers they set off during festivals and celebrations.

The actions by some local government departments set a bad example for local residents, who might get the impression that there is no harm in setting off firecrackers. Even worse is that these departments seem to be suggesting that firecrackers have the power to bring good luck. What role does luck play in the daily work of civil servants?

(China Daily 02/18/2008 page4)