1. BABY WALKERS
Babies in Canada have to learn to walk the old-fashioned way. The country banned once-popular baby walkers in 2004,
after they were found to endanger babies and delay motor and mental
development. Possession or selling of a baby walker can result in fines
of up to $100,000 or six months in jail.
2. KETCHUP IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
A
school cafeteria without ketchup? It's un-American! In 2011,
France banned the tomato condiment from school cafeterias in order to
preserve French cuisine. The one ironic exception: Students can still
eat ketchup on French fries.
3. INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Phasing
out incandescent light bulbs isn't as easy as flipping a switch. But
other countries are ahead of the U.S. on this one. Cuba was the first to
the finish line when it brought in CFLs and banned the sale and import
of the old-school bulbs in 2005. Argentina followed suit in 2010.
Meanwhile, other countries in Europe and Asia steadily move toward
replacement.
4. MULLETS
In
America, it's your right to have whatever terrible hairstyle you want.
Not so in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2010, the Ministry of
Culture banned several "decadent" Western men's hairstyles, including
the mullet, spikes, and ponytails. Hairdon'ts are punishable by fine.
5. PLASTIC BAGS
Bangladesh
started a trend in 2002 when it became the first country to ban plastic
bags. Bag bans have caught on all over the world, from France to
Tanzania to Mexico City. (Here's a map.)
San Francisco was the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags in 2007, and
Los Angeles just passed a ban that goes into effect in January. Alright,
America—who's next?
6. SPANKING
School
corporal punishment is still allowed in 19 U.S. states. But in some
countries, parents can't even spank their kids. Sweden was the first
to ban the belt and paddle in 1979. Now moms and dads in 24 countries
rely solely on the time-out.
7. BHA AND BHT PRESERVATIVES
Butylated
hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) aren't just
hard to pronounce. They're carcinogenic ... and found in almost all
packaged foods in the U.S. Human consumption of BHA and BHT is banned in
more than 160 countries.
8. CHEWING GUM
Singapore
burst gum lovers' bubbles when it outlawed Bazooka Joe and the like in
1992. The ban stuck, but was slightly changed in 2004. Singaporans
interested in the oral health benefits of sugar-free gum can now get a
prescription.
9. MCDONALD'S
When
McDonald's opened in Bolivia in 1988, the locals weren't lovin' it. So
they chose not to buy the food, no legislation necessary. In 2002, the
fast food giant finally got the message and left the country, making Bolivia the first Latin-American nation without Happy Meals.
10. WEIRD BABY NAMES
What's
in a baby name? Legislation in Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, and many
other countries. If Danish parents don't choose one of the 7000
government-approved names for their bundle of joy, they're required to
get church approval. New Zealand and Sweden add to their lists of banned
baby names each year. The names "V8" and "Superman," respectively,
weren't allowed, but "Violence" and "Google" were.
11. TOBACCO
A 2006 Business Week survey
named Bhutan not only the happiest country in Asia, but also the eighth
happiest country in the world. Four years later, the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan aimed
to increase Gross National Happiness by banning the cultivation,
harvesting, production, and sale of harmful tobacco products. But here's
a happy loophole for smokers: Tobacco consumption is still legal.
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