Seventy-two percent of Beijingers hailed the lifting of a 12-year ban on fireworks during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays from Jan. 29 to Feb. 12.

According to a survey report on how residents in Beijing's city proper liked the 2006 Spring Festival, 72 percent of the respondents said they sensed a more distinct gala atmosphere because of the firecrackers.

Meanwhile, the survey also found 20 percent of the respondents were indifferent to fireworks, saying they would feel the same if there were no "bangs" during the holidays.

The research, which was conducted by a local social survey company, said 62 percent of the respondents spent 477.9 yuan (US$59) on fireworks during the Spring Festival. 40 percent of the residents surveyed said the fireworks were worth the cost.

Zhongguan Survey discovered 26 percent of citizens in the city proper believed fireworks should be banned in order to protect the environment, while 62 percent held that the pollution was bearable in order to restore the festive tradition.

The use of fireworks during the lunar new year is thousands of years old as it was originally used to scare away the evil.

In 1994 city planners in Beijing banned firecrackers over to environmental and safety concerns.

Last September, Beijing lifted the ban, allowing residents to play firecrackers in designated areas but only during the Spring Festival and other traditional festivals.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2006)