Proposals / Economy / Fireworks Initiative
Popular initiative · Confederation (CH)
Fireworks Initiative
Popular initiative “For a restriction of fireworks”, submitted on 3 November 2023 with 137’193 valid signatures. It seeks to ban the sale and use of fireworks that generate noise in a new Article 74a of the Federal Constitution; the cantons could authorise exceptions for events of supra-regional importance. The Federal Council has put forward neither a direct nor an indirect counter-proposal and recommends rejection; in its decree of 19 June 2026, the Federal Assembly also recommends rejection. Acceptance requires the approval of the people and the cantons.
Machine translation · German original
Volksinitiative «Für eine Einschränkung von Feuerwerk», eingereicht am 3. November 2023 mit 137 193 gültigen Unterschriften. Sie will den Verkauf und die Verwendung von Feuerwerkskörpern, die Lärm erzeugen, in einem neuen Artikel 74a der Bundesverfassung verbieten; für Anlässe von überregionaler Bedeutung könnten die Kantone Ausnahmen bewilligen. Der Bundesrat hat dazu weder einen direkten Gegenentwurf noch einen indirekten Gegenvorschlag unterbreitet und empfiehlt die Ablehnung; die Bundesversammlung empfiehlt mit Beschluss vom 19. Juni 2026 ebenfalls die Ablehnung. Für die Annahme braucht es Volk und Stände.
Each impact is stated in its own unit. schwur.ch does not combine them into an overall score.
- Fireworks industry & trade
Importers, specialist retailers and fireworks companies heavily affected, the economy as a whole hardly at all
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high10 pieces of evidence - Customs & public holidays
Private fireworks only low-noise, large fireworks only at supra-regional events
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high8 pieces of evidence - Cantons, communes & enforcement
What already applies today
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high9 pieces of evidence - Cantons, communes & enforcement
New checks for the cantons, effort depends on the definition
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high10 pieces of evidence - Bangs, people & animals
Less noise from bangs for people and animals
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high9 pieces of evidence - Accidents, fires & particulate matter
Fewer accidents, fires and less particulate matter – except at large events
No figuredescribed qualitatively, evidence linkedConfidence 0.7 · high7 pieces of evidence
Legal impacts
- Procedural change
Implementing provisions no later than two years after acceptance
Cst. Art. 197 Ziff. 15 · linked to 2 impacts
- Administrative obligation
Exceptional authorisations for events of supra-regional importance
Cst. Art. 74a Abs. 2 · linked to 2 impacts
- Effect on federalism
Nationwide ban, enforcement by the cantons
Cst. Art. 74a Abs. 3 · linked to 2 impacts
- Restriction of a right
Ban on the sale and use of noise-generating fireworks
Cst. Art. 74a Abs. 1 · linked to 3 impacts