5 ordinary things banned in countries around the world!
Governments across various countries ban quite a number of things starting from books and movies to certain products and services. But why is a ban imposed? Because governments think that these can pose a threat to their citizens and/or national security! However, some of these restrictions are not even logical at times. They are rather odd. Here is a list of five ordinary things banned in five countries.
Computer games in Greece
The Greek government passed a controversial law known as Law 3037/2002 on 29 July 2002 that prohibited playing computer games in public areas. The aim was to combat unlawful gambling. If found guilty, one is be liable to pay a minimum, initial fine of $5,000 and spend three months in jail. This all started after a member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, a social-democratic political party in Greece that was in power then, was caught in a place where it was illegal to gamble. However, The European Commission informed the Greek Foreign Ministry that the law might violate the European Union (EU) law. Following pressurisation by the EU, the law was amended in 2011. Currently, playing video games at home is not illegal, but playing in a café is still a punishable offence!
Baby walkers in Canada
In Canada, one cannot buy, use, sell or stock baby walkers at all! In fact, they cannot even be manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act was implemented. If found guilty, one must pay a huge fine of up to $100,000 or serve six months of jail.
This ban was triggered by the data gathered by Health Canada from 16 nationwide hospitals (between 1990 and 2002), which revealed that more than 1,900 infants (5–14 months) sustained baby walker injuries. These injuries included tripping on stairs, flipping over, reaching dangerous items like home poisons or hot beverages and colliding with hot stoves or heaters. Initially, for safety reasons, stores voluntarily stopped selling baby walkers for 15 years, but Canadians were still bringing them into the nation despite the risks. Therefore, Health Canada passed a law that came into action on 7th April, 2004.
Tanning salons in Brazil
Brazil has banned tanning beds for those below 18 years since 2002–2003 and artificial tanning salons for all since 2011. The law prohibits using, importing, renting, and selling equipment for artificial tanning. The measure was taken in response to detailed research showing that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause cancer. According to the World Health Organization, tanning beds are Class 1 carcinogenic i.e., capable of causing cancer. This is equivalent to the risk of cancer due to smoking or X-ray radiation. Thus, there is undoubtedly an increased risk of cancer associated with tanning bed use since UVA rays reach deeper into the skin’s layers. However, the ban only applies to cosmetic uses of UV radiation and not to medicinal uses.
Black cars in Turkmenistan
The belief that black brings bad luck and white represents happiness is widespread in Turkmenistan, a small country in Central Asia. So, black cars have been outlawed since January 2018. According to the Chronicles of Turkmenistan, an opposition website, the Central Asian nation’s customs officials have banned the import of black vehicles too. In fact, before the rule was passed, owners who purchased black vehicles were compelled to have them painted in a different colour!
Yellow clothes in Malaysia
Is yellow your favourite colour? Sadly, wearing yellow in Malaysia may incur you a hefty fine of $1,185! In February 2016, around 20,000 people in yellow T-shirts flooded the streets of Kuala Lumpur to stage a protest. The protestors called for the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Najib Razak, for allegations of fraud and corruption. Following this, home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi from the Malaysian government banned yellow clothes. Since then, anyone seen wearing yellow is subject to arrest and fine on the grounds that they are engaging in a political protest. Bizarre, isn’t it?