Criticism of the annual New Year firework frenzy appears to be having an impact with fewer people saying they plan to set off fireworks this December 31.

Just one third of 18 to 24-year-olds say they may set of fireworks this year, down from 45% a year ago, according to an online survey by local government magazine Binnenlands Bestuur.

In total, 16% of those polled said they would probably set of fireworks at New Year, down from 19% a year ago.  And 48% of the survey respondents said they would back a general ban on consumer fireworks – a figure which has been stable since 2015. A ban plus local authority firework show can count on the support of 55%.

Fireworks may only be set off in the Netherlands from 6pm on December 31 to 2am on January 1, while shops are only allowed to sell them over a three day period.

Meanwhile, RTL Nieuws reports there have been 74 firework-related incidents since November 1, 50 of which involved illegal fireworks.