The strangest forbidden things around the world

In China, there has been a ban on the production and sale of computer games for 14 years. However, this is far from the only country where such amazing restrictions exist. Let's take a look at the strangest bans in the entire world.

16 PHOTOS

1. Kinder Surprise.

The world-famous and popular chocolate egg with a surprise toy inside has been banned in the United States since 1938. According to the US authorities, small parts of toys are fatal to children. (Photo: Katherine Balmer / REX).

2. Chewing gum.

In Singapore, the import and sale of chewing gum are prohibited, so it is not available to residents of the country. The ban has existed since 1992. (Photo: JONATHAN DRAKE / Newscom / Reuters).

3. Red Bull.

The most popular energy drink in the world was banned in France until 2008 due to its taurine content. Only the intervention of the European Commission forced the removal of this ban. (Photo: LEONHARD FOEGER / Newscom / Reuters).

4. Reincarnation without the consent of the government.

As strange as it may sound, the Chinese authorities prohibit reincarnation without the consent of the government. Only Buddhist monks are allowed to apply for such permits. The ban was introduced in 2007 and is still in effect. (Photo: KIM KYUNG-HOON / Newscom / Reuters).

5. Yellow clothes.

The wearing of yellow clothing was banned in Malaysia in 2011 because the color is associated with a group of activists protesting the government's electoral rights policies. (Photo: REUTERS / Bazuki Muhammad).

6. Lack of fuel.

In Germany, a driver cannot run out of gas while driving on a motorway. (Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images).

7. Ketchup.

In France, since 2011, the use of ketchup has been banned in all school and university canteens. It is believed to be guilty of destroying traditional French cuisine and contains too much sugar. (Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images).

8. Online games after midnight.

In 2011, South Korea passed a law prohibiting children from playing online games from midnight to 6 a.m. In 2013, the law was relaxed, leaving the decision on this issue to the parents. (Photo: Sascha Schuermann / Getty Images).

9. Singing to the soundtrack.

The ban on singing to phonogram appeared in 2005 in Turkmenistan. At the same time, ballet and opera began to be considered something completely unnecessary in this Central Asian country. (Photo: Elizabeth Dalziel / AP Photo).

10. Replacing the light bulb.

In one of Australia's most populous states, Victoria, it is illegal for anyone who is not a professional electrician to change a burned-out light bulb. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo).

11. Advertising of alcoholic beverages.

Since 1990, there has been a ban on the advertising of alcoholic beverages in India. Nevertheless, advertising specialists have long learned to bypass it. (Photo: Pankaj Nangia / Bloomberg).

12. Computer games.

Not only China has taken up arms against computer games. Greece also had a similar ban to combat computer piracy. Since 2003, the ban has been relaxed - since then, only Internet cafes have been banned. (Photo: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg).

13. Films and programs about time travel.

Despite the fact that time travel is not possible, the idea itself was at one time very popular on Chinese television. According to the Chinese authorities, such programs distorted history and were therefore banned. The ban is still in effect. (Photo: Universal / Everett / REX).

14. Dancing in clubs.

Few people know that in Japan, famous for its nightlife, it is forbidden to dance in clubs after midnight. Due to the 2020 Olympics being held in the Land of the Rising Sun, the possibility of lifting this controversial ban is now being considered. (Photo: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP / Getty Images).

15. Men dress as women.

In the Australian city of Melbourne, men are prohibited from dressing up in ladies' clothing. This is a very old law, which, oddly enough, is still in effect. (Photo: DigitalVision / Getty Images).

16. Excitement.

Monaco is famous all over the world for its casinos, but the citizens of this small country are prohibited from appearing in them. The ban was introduced in 1860 by Prince Charles III, who feared that his subjects would quickly lose all their savings and become addicted to gambling. (Photo: fotomoment_lt / Getty Images).