7 countries with bizarre bans that can lead to severe penalties

It is illegal to use plastic bags in Kenya while chewing gums attract penalties in Singapore. Other bizarre bans that attract severe penalties exist in different countries.

Our world is beautiful in its diversity. Each country has its own culture, traditions, laws, and, of course, prohibitions. Violation of the existing rules can lead to rather harsh punishment, while ignorance of the laws is not considered. Sometimes, a tourist who first came to a particular country has no idea that any actions or even things are prohibited.

Seven countries with bizarre bans that can lead to severe penalties

1. Kenya

Plastic bags are strictly prohibited in this African state. They cannot not only be used but even brought to Kenya. The fine for violation is very severe – at least 38 thousand dollars. The ban is connected with the fact that numerous tourists left behind a huge number of plastic bags before its introduction, polluting the environment and harming the country’s ecology.

Canada

Not even all Canadians are aware that it is strictly forbidden to use a walker as a support for a toddler who cannot yet walk in the country. But ignorance of responsibility, as you know, does not exempt. As a measure of influence for violators, a fine of 100 thousand Canadian dollars or six months of imprisonment is provided. Many pediatricians believe that the use of this device causes irreparable harm to the child since the load on the joints, muscles, and bones of the baby is not distributed correctly.

Singapore

In 1992, this country passed a law banning regular chewing gum. It cannot be bought, sold, or even brought to Singapore. Such a strange, at first glance, the law has very serious grounds. In hot climates, chewing gum melts, especially if it was thrown onto the road, sticks to shoes, creates an inconvenience, looks unpleasant, and is generally a breeding ground for bacteria. Only in 2000 was it allowed to sell chewing gum in pharmacies, but only with a doctor’s prescription. If the patient allows himself to throw the leftovers on the road, he will face 500 local dollars.

Burundi

If a tourist cannot do without a morning (or evening) jog in the company of friends, then he shouldn’t consider Burundi as a place to relax. Here, jogging in a large company is regarded as an act of war. The fact is that in this small country, there are many ethnic groups, conflicts between which flare up instantly, and therefore a joint run can be the beginning of a serious quarrel. In order to avoid provocations, a large group of “athletes” can simply be put behind bars. Lone runners, on the other hand, are not suspicious.

USA

In the United States, it is impossible to buy the most common and beloved Kinder Surprise legally. This is due to concern for the safety of children since several deaths are associated with this delicacy. For example, in 2016, a three-year-old girl died in France when she choked on a small toy from Kinder Surprise. In the United States, there is a rule according to which products should not contain inedible foreign objects.

If someone tries to bring this delicacy to the country or present it to a child, he faces a $300 fine. Since 2013, only chocolate eggs that meet multiple standards have been allowed to be sold in the United States. Firstly, the chocolate shell should consist of two halves with a clear border between them, and secondly, there should be a non-separable toy inside.

Denmark

If parents are going to name their child with some unusual name, it will not legitimize it. The Danish government decided to protect its little citizens in this way from possible ridicule in the future. Danish parents have a list of 24 thousand names legalized by the state to choose from. If the desire to give the heir an extraordinary name becomes a fixed idea, you can get permission from government officials. After the analysis, the special commission will issue its verdict.

DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)

It seems that this country has the largest number of bizarre bans. Nationals of the DPRK can only do the hairstyle allowed in the country, although the list is very scanty. Foreigners who have arrived in the country are not allowed to go to local shops or visit remote areas of the city, where the view is not as ceremonial as in the center.

Also, residents of foreign countries cannot pay with local won, but yuan, euros, and dollars are easily accepted for payment. Coca-Cola and contraceptives are strictly prohibited here, it is impossible to buy foreign glossy magazines, and the library will not let you read the local press of many years ago. However, all these prohibitions are quite understandable: Kim Jong-un is trying to do everything to protect young people from Western culture and traditions.

North Korea has never ceased to amaze the world for many years. There are many different restrictions in force here, and this time, skinny jeans and ripped jeans, and some other attributes were banned, as stated by the corresponding decree of Kim Jong-un. Violators are at risk of being sent “for re-education” to labor camps.