bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Each week our two teenagers debate a hot topic. This week ...
Jeffrey Wong, 19, Diocesan Boys' School
Every culture has its own traditions and customs. Some are fun but others can be harmful.
We tend to preserve the former and abandon the latter.
In the past people used to let firecrackers off through bamboo tubes in Hong Kong but that practice has been illegal for a few years now.
I think this ban on the use of firecrackers is no longer necessary.
Firecrackers have symbolic meaning - they are meant  to scare away a mythical evil monster called 'Nian'.
Firecrackers are also a cultural characteristic of  Lunar New Year, one of the most important festivals for Chinese people.
Some argue that firecrackers cause injuries, because they contain a lot of explosive materials.
I say that safety can be improved through technology. The details can be left to the scientists.
The Cheung Chow bun festival is a prime example of how modern technology can be used to improve safety at a traditional festival celebration.
It was banned at one time because of severe injuries. However, with better safety measures, the festival has been revitalised recently.
It's time for us to hear the  noise of firecrackers again.
Firecrackers are an essential element in the celebration of Lunar New Year.
Claudia Yip, 17, Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School
In ancient China people used firecrackers to scare away the monster 'Nian' and letting them off  remains a Lunar New Year tradition today.
While firecrackers may be festive, they can also be very dangerous.
Firecrackers have been illegal in Hong Kong since 1967, and the ban should not be lifted.
It was introduced because the explosive content of firecrackers might be used in unlawful ways.
At that time there were riots inspired by communist rebels and some used the gunpowder in firecrackers to make bombs.
There is no longer any danger from rebels but firecrackers are still dangerous, particularly if they are kept in households.
All it takes is a tiny spark to trigger an explosion that could cause loss of life and property.
That's why firecrackers should only be handled by professionals.
In fact, there are New Year firework displays every year that are enjoyed by many.
Hong Kong is crowded. People live very close together and any explosion is likely to cause a great deal of damage.
We have survived for many years without firecrackers, so why cause danger now?
If people really can't do without them, they can find substitutes like electronic firecrackers.
There is no monster to be scared off, and there is no good reason to risk life or property. The ban should not be lifted.



Should the ban on  firecrackers be lifted?