11. Smoking

If you’re a cigarette smoker, don’t ever go to Bhutan. The country enforces some of the strictest anti-tobacco regulations in the world. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited. Even candy and toys that resemble tobacco products are restricted.

Tobacco products can be imported for personal consumption. However, even these need to meet government guidelines. Imported cigarettes must display country of origin and health warnings. “Misleading” labels like “light” or “low-tar” are not allowed.

 

Citizens are allowed only 200 cigarettes or 150 grams of tobacco legally imported per month. Illegally possessing tobacco could mean a prison sentence of up to five years. A monk was charged with this offense in 2011.

The act of smoking is banned in most indoor and outdoor public places. Establishments such as bars can allow smoking but must set designated areas.

The main piece of legislation governing tobacco regulations is the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan, which went into effect in 2010.

10. Blue Jeans

Everyone has a favorite pair of blue jeans, right?

You better not if you live in North Korea. Blue jeans are prohibited there along with anything else the authoritarian, freedom hating, nuclear-missile pointing regime wants to ban. Why? The communist government believes they are symbols of “American imperialism.”

 

In 2009, three Swedish entrepreneurs did the unthinkable. They persuaded a North Korean company to manufacture jeans for sale in Stockholm. But, the North Koreans stopped just short of making blue jeans. So, they decided on black jeans for the Noko line, which was eventually banned by a Stockholm department store.

Black jeans are ok in the DPRK, apparently. But, perhaps they’re only reserved for high-ranking party officials.