Fireworks and firecrackers vendors have been banned from selling to juveniles under 14 in southwest China's Chongqing municipality, under a new regulation.

Violators will be fined 50 to 100 yuan (US$6.25 to US$12.5), the regulation said.

"It is not a discriminatory policy, it is intended to protect juveniles," a legislator said.

Rampant and illegal production of fireworks is a major problem in China. As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, officials are concerned about illegal fireworks.

Nine out of the 10 accidents since October resulted from illegal manufacturing.

At present, China has more than 6,604 fireworks and firecrackers manufacturers and 150,000 distributors, but only 1,815 producers have obtained safety permits.

The legislator reminded citizens not to store fireworks and firecrackers weighing more than 10 kilograms, a breach of the regulation.

The rule was enacted after the city lifted the ban on setting off fireworks and firecrackers during the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Many citizens welcomed the ban but worried that children would set off fireworks anyhow — now without parental supervision.

This year, 177 Chinese cities, including Chongqing and Beijing, out of the country's total of 660, lifted the fireworks ban that has been in place for years.

The new move will allow residents to set off firecrackers in designated areas during the Lunar New Year festival.

In November, Chongqing reported three explosion cases with 14 casualties.

Nationwide, there were 87 fireworks accidents in the first 11 months, according to the State Administration of Work Safety.

From October 1 to November 30 alone, 10 accidents took place, killing 37 people, across the country.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2005)