An association called Animal Friends Croatia on Friday welcomed the proposed amendments to legislation regulating the use of explosive substances and weapons whereby a total ban on firecrackers would be imposed.

The association says that the ban is long-awaited by a majority of citizens, and underscores that so far it has collected as many as 30,000 signatures for its online petition for the prohibition of firecrackers and pyrotechnic substances throughout the year.

The association says that its efforts to have the year-round ban have been supported by five ministries, that is ministerial departments for education, tourism, health, economy and agriculture.

Currently, some kinds of firecrackers can be used during the Christmas and New Year’s festivities.

This year, 14 persons, including six children, sustained injuries in firecrackers’ explosions during the period of festivities.