Residents watch after setting up fireworks as part of Chinese new year celebrations, in central Beijing early Feb 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

For the sake of a cleaner environment and atmosphere, people should not set off fireworks during the forthcoming Spring Festival holiday, especially in densely populated cities, says a People's Daily article.

As Spring Festival approaches, there have been fierce debates about whether people should set off fireworks.

Fireworks vendors have expressed their hopes that plenty of fireworks will be sold. However, there are also some, especially urban residents, who hope fewer fireworks will be set off, because of the air pollution they cause. They have expressed their hopes that they will be able to enjoy cleaner air and a quieter environment during the annual Chinese New Year holiday.

These different expectations are both reasonable from the perspective of the two groups.

It has long been a Chinese tradition to set off fireworks during the Spring Festival holiday to add to the festive atmosphere. However, as the smog has become an increasingly severe problem in recent years, such a custom has been criticized by a growing number of people as the fireworks exacerbate the air pollution.

The voices against fireworks have caused some city authorities in the country to put a ban on setting off fireworks or to designate special areas for them. The latter is a good compromise between those who are for and against fireworks.