The British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) welcomes today’s news that Sainsbury’s has made the decision to ban the sale of fireworks at its 2,300 branches. This is an important step towards reducing the misuse of fireworks and the resulting lifechanging injuries surgeons see all too frequently.

BAPRAS is strongly opposed to inappropriate packaging used with fireworks which often echoes the visual language of sweets and games, and the colourful stalls at the front of stores which trivialise these potentially dangerous explosives.

Last year, BAPRAS launched a campaign calling on Government to introduce graphic warning images on firework packaging as a step to reduce the growing number of unnecessary and life-changing injuries sustained from the misuse of fireworks, which often require extensive reconstructive surgery.
Mark Henley, President of BAPRAS commented: “While today’s news is a positive step forward, we cannot rely on all retailers to make this responsible decision. We urge the Government to take decisive action and introduce common-sense legislation to ensure all firework packaging in the UK includes mandatory graphic warning notices, similar to those found on cigarette packaging.”

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About the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS): The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons is the voice of plastic surgery in the UK, advancing education in all aspects of the specialty and promoting understanding of contemporary practice. BAPRAS speaks for the majority of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeons providing services to patients in the UK today.