TIANJIN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- North China's Tianjin Municipality has banned fireworks in its city proper to tackle air pollution.

According to a regulation passed by the standing committee of the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress in late 2017, fireworks are banned within the city's outer ring road from Jan. 1, 2018.

Fireworks sales are also forbidden in the area.

This means residents in the city proper are not allowed to set off fireworks on the Lunar New Year. Chinese often celebrate the holiday with fireworks.

Specific areas outside the outer ring, such as bus stations, ports and the airport, have also banned fireworks.

Violators will be fined 100 yuan (15 U.S. dollars) to 500 yuan by police, according to the regulation.