30 Banned Items From Around The World

1. North Korea, blue jeans

Image source: Reddit

In North Korea, a ban was put on wearing blue jeans. Any other particular color of jeans is seen as acceptable, however, wearing it is wearing blue jeans in public is officially banned. This is because it is seen to be adhering too much to Western influence and taking away from traditional garments.

2. Greece, high heels

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In Greece, there is of course not a complete, country-wide ban on high heels. However, in places of historical interest or archeological sites, high heels are banned because they are seen as potentially causing damage to the area. And so if you are going to a historic town in Greece, it's better to wear flats.

3. Italy, flip-flops

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In Capri, Italy, a new ban came into force which caused a stir among tourists AND locals. The new ban stated that flip-flops would not be allowed in Capri. This is because they want to keep the reputation for a sophisticated and peaceful town and they did not like the sound that flip flops made when they were walked in.

4. Canada, baby walkers

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Baby walkers have for some time been seen as a potentially dangerous baby toy. While they are a great form of entertainment, in Canada they are seen as too risky because they allow the baby to move quickly, sometimes quicker than the parent or caregiver can keep up with.

5. Iran, ponytails

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In Iran, there are lots of strict rules on how people dress and present themselves. For example, ponytails have also been banned due to the hairstyle being seen as a corruptive, westernized influence. It is also banned for men, as well as hair gel as it is seen as too feminine.

6. Italy, goldfish in a bowl

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Bowls have almost become a symbol for the goldfish house, yet bowls are not a good place to keep your fish as the curvature can cause a lack of oxygen, causing the fish to suffer. And so in Rome, Italy, they outlawed the use of bowls for goldfish as it was seen as an act of animal cruelty.

7. Singapore, chewing gum

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Chewing gum causes a lot of littering problems. When you go to a city, sidewalks and streets are littered with white blobs that can never be removed. And it really does cause a blight on the environment, so Singapore took the decision to ban it completely and if you disobey you face a fine.

8. China, Jasmine

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Jasmine is a flower and it has become associated with political intent. And so, jasmine flowers were banned from being sold or exchanged, the word jasmine was wiped off the internet (as far as was possible), and any videos or songs featuring the word jasmine were taken down!

9. Malaysia, the color yellow

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In Malaysia, the color yellow has come to symbolize revolution, as a group of activists once worse yellow the color has become associated with anti-government thinking. So, the color yellow was completely banned, which means that you cannot wear anything of the color yellow.

10. Australia, (the creation of) memes

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In Australia, there are very strict copyright laws that state that only the creator of the original work is allowed to publish. So, a meme technically takes somebody else's photo or video and essentially just adds a funny caption or voiceover - which in Australia is seen as a copyright issue!

11. Iran, curvy mannequins

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Curvy mannequins are all the rage now, and most of the world was pleased to see the change. Companies started representing all kinds of bodies. But, in Iran, it is banned completely to have curvy mannequins. Again, it is seen as a negative influence from the West!

12. Russia, lacy underwear

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In Russia, it isn't actually allowed to buy lace underwear, or even sell lace underwear. This is because there's a rule that any kind of underwear must contain at least 6% Cotton. Cotton is a breathable fabric, and so it's been deemed as unsuitable for women's health to wear purely lace underwear!

13. Tunisia, imported pencils

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In Tunisia, there is a blanket ban on imported pencils. It's not actually stated why this ban exists, however, if pencils are found or people using pencils that have been imported are also found, you could face a fine and the pencil will be confiscated. It seems a very strict rule for a pencil!

14. Morocco, YouTube

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In Morocco, YouTube along with many different kinds of sites is banned. The reason states that these channels have not been accessible in the country, However, other reports have found that that is not the case. Morocco still attempts to block, blaming technical difficulties.

15. Saudi Arabia, Valentine's Day

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In Saudi Arabia, Valentine's Day is banned. Although the day does not class as an item, all of the merchandise surrounding Valentine's Day is banned too. This is because it is believed not to align with their religious beliefs and instead allows a Westernized influence.

16. China, time travel content

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Time travel content, including TV series that feature any Time Travel content or movies regarding the topic, are all banned. The reason behind the ban is stated that time travel may destroy the reality of historical events and therefore, it cannot be allowed!

17. North Korean, balloons

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Balloons are an item that is completely out of the question in North Korea. They have been banned for many years, as they are seen as a threat. The fear behind balloons is that they could unknowingly send anti-government propaganda across the border.

18. Missouri USA, yellow margarine

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In Missouri, USA there is a total ban on yellow margarine because it is considered to be imitating butter which could confuse customers. Margarine has now been deemed less healthy due to butter being a natural product, and so if margarine is dyed yellow it has to be clearly stated on the product.

19. Nigeria, wheelbarrows

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In Nigeria, wheelbarrows became associated with dirt. Both wheelbarrows and cart pushers were banned after there was a string of incidents in which they were used to dump rubbish. They were since deemed as detrimental to the environment and here on out completely banned.

20. Switzerland, cowbells

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Cowbells were deemed a public nuisance in Switzerland and banned altogether. There is a large population of cows in Switzerland, and they did not want the sound of cowbells to be overpowering. The country prides itself on creating a peaceful environment and it did not align with cowbells.

21. South Africa, pictures of the president's home

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In South Africa, the government banned pictures of the president's house after the media released a series of his house to the public. It then raised questions and concerns and exposed that 12 million of the public's money had been wrongly used on his house rather than the country.

22. Turkmenistan, lip-syncing

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Turkmenistan banned lip-syncing as it did not adhere to their VERY strict laws on copyright. These laws state that all work published must be first-hand, and lip-syncing is seen as basically taking the credit for somebody else's work and claiming it.

23. Philippines, motorcycles with sidecars

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Motorcars with sidecars are banned in the Philippines as they are seen as a safety concern, particularly on the highway. The ban applies to the highway, but motorcars with sidecars attached remain heavily regulated, although allowed in rural areas. What do you think about this law?

24. Uzbekistan, gold teeth

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Gold teeth (a very specific item) are seen as the height of Western extravagance in Uzbekistan and so they are completely banned throughout the country. The belief is that if these Westernizations are allowed, they will start to infiltrate and corrupt the country!

25. Vietnam, imported bras

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There are peculiar and very strict rules and regulations on the sale of bras in Vietnam. The sale of new bras is heavily guided, and it's not as easy to get hold of a bra as you may assume. Imported bras are also completely banned, meaning they can be difficult to find.

26. Iran, tattoos

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Getting a tattoo or having a tattoo is banned in Iran. If a tattoo is seen displayed in public, you can receive a hefty penalty. But, if the tattoo is discreet or small in a place that is generally covered the ban, of course, is very difficult to enforce.

27. Saudi Arabia, pants for women

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In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to wear pants. There is a total ban on women wearing pants. There are extremely strict dress codes which have been enforced. Pants are deemed unfeminine as they are only allowed for males. And, it is seen as going against religious belief.

28. Kenya, plastic bags

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In 2017 Kenya banned plastic bags. Plastic bags (as single-use plastics) have been a growing concern due to their waste and contribution to landfills. With the environment to think of, and health concerns linked with plastics and microplastics, Kenya made the decision to ban them.

29. France, face veils

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France was the first country to order a ban on face veils. It caused a lot of controversy many years ago when the ban was introduced because it wasn't only veils as fashion accessories, it also included religious headgear such as burkas which caused a lot of public outcries.

30. Bangladesh, Bitcoin

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In Bangladesh, Bitcoin and anything of the sort, for example, Kryptocoin is banned. There is a total ban on these kinds of trading and money investments. Bangladesh wants to encourage the use of real money to focus on the solidity of the economy, rather than the new, non-physical economy.