These banned items will shock you! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most random commonplace objects that have faced bans in various countries, cities, and governmental bodies.
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00:00Vancouver or Bancouver? I mean, what do you really want to call this town?
00:04Their latest attempt to decide what citizens can and can't have, it has people scratching their heads.
00:10Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most random, commonplace objects
00:15that have faced bans in various countries, cities, and governmental bodies.
00:19Please note that some of these may have just been in consideration, temporary, or strongly encouraged guidelines.
00:25Two Seattle men found out the hard way, the candy they bought in Canada is illegal here in the United States.
00:37This has become the face of the modern protester.
00:40Originally created by illustrator David Lloyd for the graphic novel V for Vendetta,
00:45this mask, with its distinctive mustache and apparently sinister look, has since taken on a different meaning.
00:51After it was featured in the 2006 movie adaptation, the Guy Fawkes mask became a Halloween costume staple.
00:58But it also found new purpose among various protest movements.
01:02We saw it on the streets of Turkey this week, worn en masse by airline workers, but by many others too.
01:08Seeking to curb such demonstrations, Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on the masks in 2013,
01:14arguing that it, quote, instills a culture of violence and extremism in young people.
01:19Although Bahrain first introduced a similar ban months prior,
01:23Saudi Arabia escalated measures by not only outlawing the import of the masks, but also confiscating any existing stock.
01:36French cheeses, Italian olive oils, Spanish hams.
01:40Russians have got used to eating the same food as their Western neighbours.
01:44But that's about to stop.
01:46In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, a region of Ukraine, triggering widespread condemnation and prompting several Western countries to impose sanctions.
01:56In retaliation, Vladimir Putin banned the importation of dairy products from the EU, among other measures.
02:02As a result, French, Italian and Swiss cheese, which once dominated the shelves in Russia, were seized and destroyed by the authorities.
02:10The bust of a major cheese smuggling ring, which officials say illegally earned millions of dollars.
02:16This move may have been bad for cheese lovers in the country, as their favourite products not only became scarce,
02:22but they also saw a rise in counterfeit cheeses flooding the market.
02:25However, the ban seemingly benefited local farmers by stimulating increased domestic cheese production to fill the gap left by the embargo.
02:3518. Japanese shaving brushes, banned by St. Lucia
02:39If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, you might want to check your shaving brush to ensure it's not made in Japan.
02:47That's right, shaving brushes produced in or exported from Japan are highly prohibited in St. Lucia.
02:53This unusual regulation dates all the way back to the early 1900s, when there was an anthrax contamination scandal linked to shaving brushes imported from Japan.
03:03In a bid to prevent a recurrence, the Caribbean nation enacted a ban on such products.
03:08Even after more than a century, this ban remains in place, despite Japan's repeated efforts to reassure St. Lucia of the brushes' safety.
03:17I think all a man needs in life is a close shave, a cold beer and, you know, maybe a faithful dog.
03:2317. Vicks inhalers, banned by Japan
03:27Need to get rid of a blocked nose while vacationing in Japan?
03:31Well, we hate to break it to you, but using a Vicks inhaler wouldn't be one of your options.
03:36To get fast relief from a blocked nose, Vicks inhaler. Fast relief from a blocked nose anytime, anywhere.
03:43That's because the product falls under a category of over-the-counter medications that are considered illegal in the country.
03:49While Japan permits visitors to bring in some drugs for personal use, those containing stimulants are prohibited due to its anti-stimulant drug laws.
03:59Since Vicks inhalers are a prime example of such products, they are effectively banned from being sold or brought into the country.
04:06So, if you can't find a suitable alternative, you might have to endure that blocked nose longer than expected.
04:12Get your head right down onto that. Breathe it in real deep.
04:17Ten minutes of that, you'll be clear as a bell. No worries.
04:2016. Lace underwear, banned by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan
04:27This one probably came as bad news to couples looking to spice things up in the bedroom.
04:32Back in 2014, the Customs Union overseeing Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan implemented regulations banning the production and import of lace underwear.
04:42For many, it's yet another example of the misguided economic policies that have become a trademark of many post-Soviet countries.
04:51If you thought this was due to concerns about modesty, then you'd be wrong.
04:55The regulation's true aim was to ensure that any clothing in direct contact with the skin contained at least 6% cotton, to protect consumers against skin problems.
05:05As many lacy lingerie failed to meet that requirement, they were banned from being sold.
05:10While it was apparently implemented for health reasons, the ban triggered protests in Kazakhstan, leading to the arrest of several women.
05:18Why are you afraid of panties, she shouts. Freedom to panties, as she's forced into a police van.
05:2515. Wheelbarrows and carts, banned by Lagos, Nigeria
05:31In 2018, the government of Lagos, Nigeria's second most populous state, issued a ban on the use of wheelbarrows and carts in public spaces.
05:40According to authorities, this measure aims to crack down on those who operate the devices for profit.
05:45Referred to as wheelbarrow and cart pushers, these individuals were reportedly notorious for illegally dumping waste in canals, which exacerbated the state's already existing flooding issues.
05:57The activities of some illegal waste disposal carriers, otherwise called cart pushers, often destabilize its efforts of ensuring a cleaner Lagos.
06:08Although this regulation does not directly affect private residents, those who patronize the operators could also face arrest and prosecution.
06:16As for these ones who claim to have done nothing wrong, the agency says they will be tried in accordance with the law.
06:23The ban was part of the Cleaner Lagos initiative, which aimed to prioritize environmental cleanliness of the state.
06:3014. Yellow T-shirts, banned by Malaysia
06:35In 2015, after reports surfaced that then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak had received $700 million in his personal bank account, protests erupted calling for his resignation.
06:47This rally had a stern message for the prime minister. Malaysians want transparency.
06:53Thousands took to the streets wearing bright yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the words, Bersi 4. In the Malay language, Bersi translates to clean.
07:02It's an accumulation of frustration that for 58 years we've been asking for accountability and still we don't get it.
07:11Just before the demonstrations began, former Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi banned the wearing of these shirts.
07:19However, protesters openly disregarded this order, flooding the streets with their Bersi 4 Ts.
07:25Despite the controversy surrounding the ban, it was later upheld by a Malaysian high court.
07:30The judge deemed the yellow shirts a national security threat and imposed a fine of over $1,000 on anyone found wearing them.
07:3813. Water guns, banned by Cambodia
07:43The Cambodian New Year, also called the Khmer New Year, is an annual three-day celebration in April that attracts millions from around the world.
07:51A common tradition during this festival is splashing water on people, often with toy guns.
07:57Unfortunately, this practice has caused numerous accidents, with reported instances in which the water was replaced with acid and used to attack mainly young women.
08:15Consequently, many regions in Cambodia have implemented bans on water guns, especially during the Khmer New Year celebrations.
08:22In 2023, following reports that a foreigner was injured with a water gun, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sayen called for a nationwide ban on the devices.
08:3312. Goldfish bowls, banned by Rome, Italy
08:38Keeping goldfish in spherical bowls is a common practice around the world.
08:42But did you know that these bowls are generally considered cruel to the fish?
08:47Back in 2005, this concern led city councillors in Rome, Italy to take action.
08:55They voted to ban the use of spherical fish bowls, seemingly influenced by the warnings of animal activists.
09:01These activists argue that the bowls do not provide enough oxygen for the fish and could even cause them to go blind.
09:08A dinky, single-gallon bowl is much too small.
09:12And even the 10-gallon tank you see in every pet store won't cut it.
09:17A single adult goldfish needs at least twice that much water to thrive.
09:21Apparently, goldfish welfare wasn't the only issue on the councillors' agenda.
09:26On the same day, they also passed legislation making daily dog walks mandatory, with offenders facing a potential fine of $700.
09:3511. Unveiled mannequins, banned by Iran
09:40Walk through a shopping mall in almost any country, and you'd see storefronts adorned with mannequins in varying degrees of clothing.
09:47And some without any clothes at all.
09:49However, this sight would be unlikely in Iran.
09:52Back in 2009, in a bid to reinforce conservative Islamic values, authorities in the Middle Eastern nation implemented a ban on female mannequins without a veil.
10:02And those revealing body curves.
10:04This measure was part of a broader effort to counter perceived Western influences,
10:09consistent with former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's agenda to suppress what he deemed, quote, un-Islamic behavior.
10:17Subsequently, in 2014, Iran's cultural ministry introduced Islamic mannequins, which were deemed suitable for public display.
10:2610. Furbies, banned by the NSA
10:30Remember those lovable robotic toys from your childhood?
10:41Well, you might be remembering them wrong, because these hamster- or owl-like creatures went on to become less lovable.
10:49Gotta get rid of those furbies! They've turned feral!
10:54This is because of the furbies' almost human-like ability to start speaking English as they, quote-unquote, grew.
11:06Unfortunately, the National Security Agency came to believe that the pre-programmed English words the furbies said were the result of their repeating words they heard.
11:17In 1999, this led the NSA to ban the toy from their headquarters in fear that it was also a recording device with the potential to repeat classified information in public.
11:27However, the ban was ultimately removed when this was revealed to be a myth.
11:329. Wearing high heels at ancient sites, banned by Greece
11:37It's always important to know what kind of shoes to wear to certain places.
11:41The choice is now yours.
11:44The first one. The high heel.
11:46No. We'll do a redo.
11:48If you plan to visit any of the historical sites in Greece, then you must leave your high heels behind.
11:54In 2009, the government of Greece enforced a regulation banning individuals from wearing high heels to any of its ancient monuments.
12:02This ban was implemented due to concerns that pointed heels were damaging the delicate surfaces of the centuries-old structures, and also to ensure the longevity of the landmarks for future generations.
12:13Violators could face a potential fine of up to £771.
12:18So unless you're ready to part with that, it's probably best to just stick with sneakers.
12:238. Online video games, banned by South Korea
12:28Seeking to curtail one of its leading sources of video game obsession, South Korea took a swing at PC gaming.
12:35There's a dark side to South Korea's gaming culture.
12:39Video game addiction is widely regarded as a major social problem.
12:44As part of the government's efforts to fight the gaming mania, they introduced the Cinderella Law in 2011,
12:50which sadly has nothing to do with glass slippers and handsome princes, and more to do with ending your adventures at midnight.
12:57Also called the Shutdown Law, it blocks access to online games for people under 16 from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
13:05Activists argue the law violates children's civil rights, and many parents resent what they regard as government intrusion.
13:13In 2014, the law was eased to allow parents to decide whether or not they wanted the law to apply to their children, which is a saving grace for you night owl gamers.
13:237. Baby walkers, banned by Canada
13:28In 2004, Canada officially banned this seemingly harmless tool for toddlers, following a 15-year voluntary ban on retailers.
13:37Seems like the device might not be so harmless after all, as baby walkers, meant to help babies learn to walk faster,
13:44can actually have the opposite effect and delay the process by two to three weeks.
13:49And basically, this is because babies are being put into a different developmental stage than where they're physically at.
13:58Then there are all those preventable injuries. Canada was the first country to ban walkers.
14:03And if you think you'd be able to get one second hand, well, that's illegal too.
14:07If you're caught with one, you could be fined up to $100,000 Canadian dollars, or spend six months in jail. Yikes!
14:16Do not get a walker, because you want your baby's muscles to develop the way they're supposed to, without contraptions.
14:236. Chewing gum, banned by Singapore
14:27How do I know this isn't a treasure map just waiting to be unfurled?
14:30Because it's gum.
14:32That's gum.
14:33Yeah.
14:34This ban was proposed in 1983, because gum was being used to vandalize mailboxes, high-rise apartments, keyholes, and elevator buttons.
14:42It wasn't until 1987 that things got serious, though, with people using gum on the new railway system, the MRT.
14:49Gum was used to block sensors and prevent doors from closing, which cost a pretty penny to repair.
14:55In 1992, the new Prime Minister put the ban into effect.
14:59And today, the only gum allowed in Singapore is dental or nicotine gum, which is prescribed by a doctor.
15:05Being caught with gum can lead to a fine or imprisonment, and just spitting it out in public carries a $700 fine.
15:135. Flip-flops, banned by Capri, Italy
15:18Flip-flop, flip-flop.
15:21Sure, this sounds annoying, but folks on the Italian island of Capri took their annoyance to the next level and banned flip-flops altogether.
15:28Run them down!
15:30I can't run! I'm wearing flip-flops!
15:34The beach shoes fell under the category of noisy footwear, which isn't allowed, under risk of a fine or arrest.
15:42So please keep those clogs at home, too.
15:45It's one of the many bans in Italy aimed at preserving public security.
15:49Building sandcastles, collecting seashells, playing ball games, kissing in a car, and wearing miniskirts are all forbidden as well in different areas.
15:59Still, that probably won't stop anyone from vacationing on Capri's beautiful beaches.
16:04Capri, Capri sounds nice.
16:064. Blue jeans, banned by North Korea
16:10Western culture may not always be the best influence when it comes to certain things, but who can argue with the utility and comfort of blue jeans?
16:18Well, Kim Jong-un, that's who.
16:21In an attempt to minimize the influence of Western fashion, North Korea's leader banned blue jeans in the country.
16:27I want blue jeans!
16:28You're getting slacks!
16:30While it is a nationwide ban, it will primarily be enforced in the areas closest to the Chinese border, where American culture can sneak in.
16:38The ban also extends to all piercings, including ears.
16:41It might be just another day in North Korea, but to a democratic nation, the ban seems unbelievable.
16:47This is America. You want to live in North Korea? You can live in North Korea.
16:52I don't want to! I want to live in America!
16:553. Kinder eggs, banned by the USA
16:59Two Seattle men found out the hard way the candy they bought in Canada is illegal here in the United States.
17:05Warning, this entry may contain small parts of nonsense and could cause a confusion hazard. Adult supervision advised.
17:12The ban on Kinder Surprise eggs actually goes back to a 1938 act that prohibits candy with a non-nutritive substance embedded in it to be sold in the USA.
17:22Thanks to possible choking hazards and the fact that they're only suitable for children over three years of age, Kinder Surprises cannot be sold in the country.
17:30The eggs can't even be brought into America, and fines are reportedly set at $300 to $2,500 per egg.
17:38I read somewhere that like 80,000 of them were confiscated last year. I mean, just think of the wasted time and effort.
17:45How's that for a Kinder Surprise?
17:47While the U.S. is the only country to have banned the chocolate, there have been a number of deaths worldwide associated with choking on a Kinder egg.
17:552. Doorknobs, banned by Vancouver, Canada
18:00Vancouver or Bancouver, I mean, what do you really want to call this town?
18:04Their latest attempt to decide what citizens can and can't have, it has people scratching their heads.
18:10Aside from paving the way for low flush toilets and LED light bulbs, Vancouver is also the first Canadian city to ban doorknobs.
18:18This has been done in the hopes that people won't get stuck in whatever room they're in, with levers being used to open doors instead.
18:25Vancouver is the only city in Canada that has the authority to make its own building codes.
18:30Also on the banning block for Vancouver homes in the past, older flushing toilets and wood-burning fireplaces, to name a few.
18:37As of 2014, all new buildings have been built with levers instead of knobs, in an effort to phase out the old design.
18:44It is mainly meant to aid people living with disabilities and arthritis, but also helps the elderly or those carrying things in their hands, like groceries.
18:53The ban was part of a bylaw to make housing more accessible, which also mandated bigger hallways, higher outlets, and wider staircases for possible stairlift installation.
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19:18Number 1. Ketchup. Banned by France.
19:23Ketchup. Just like my mom puts on her spaghetti, baby.
19:27This ban might be the most baffling of them all.
19:31As of 2011, ketchup has been banned in school cafeterias in France.
19:37The reason for the prohibition, according to National Association of Directors of Collective Restaurants chairman Christophe Hébert, is to preserve French culture.
19:47Luckily, French fries aren't a traditional French meal, so kids won't have to suffer through eating plain potato sticks, which they can only have once a week.
19:56Hébert sees ketchup as too American and wants children to learn native French recipes and pass them down to their kids.
20:04He also believes ketchup covers up the taste of their fine cuisine.
20:09Do you live in a country where any of these items are outlawed?
20:12Just how tightly enforced are those bans? Let us know in the comments below.
20:17He said, are you aware that kinder eggs are illegal in the United States and carry a $2,500 fine per egg? And I actually laughed.
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