Rio de Janeiro’s City Council passes law banning fireworks

The Rio de Janeiro City Council approved in definitive form this Tuesday (Dec. 6) the project that prohibits the manufacture, commercialization, and use of fireworks in the city.

The rule, which the mayor, Carlo Caiado, will promulgate, prohibits any use of fireworks by isolated individuals but allows the use of non-blasting fireworks or those that produce noise of up to 120 decibels in the case of events held by the Rio city hall or by institutions authorized by the municipal executive.

The proposal, which has been under discussion in the House for four years, aims to protect mainly animals and sensitive people, such as those with an autistic spectrum disorder.

After a series of debates and adjustments to the original text, the approved wording preserves events such as the traditional Copacabana New Year’s Eve party.

The proposal also establishes a deadline of 180 days to become effective.

“Fireworks disturb not only domestic animals, babies, small children, and some elderly people, but also cause countless discomforts in wildlife, and may even cause the death of many species,” said Councilman Luiz Ramos Filho (PMN), author of the proposal.

Andrea Cassias, from the Rio sem Estampidos movement and guardian of the Titi Assistance Chain, said the project is a significant advance.

“The blasts do a lot of harm to animals and people with autism, and the fight for a better and more inclusive society is necessary,” she said.

Leader of the government, councilman Átila Nunes (PSD), said this is an old demand from the population.

“Other communities already have this noise reduction regulation, and there is no reason not to adopt it in our city. I congratulate councilman Luiz Carlos Ramos Filho for his effort in finding an understanding that could lead us to approve this matter”.

The project changes Article 33 of the Municipal Organic Law, which already prohibited the manufacture and sale of fireworks in the city.

With information from Agencia Brasil