Day 1 #janlawblogpost

So I already had a blog post lined up for today on a strange law from around the world but that has been pushed back seeing as The Guardian has published an article today outlining some of the new laws for 2016 from around the world.  And whilst these aren’t all strange, it seemed only right to start 2016 off showing what is changing across the globe!

Here are just a sample of some of the new laws:

  • As of today, it is illegal to sell tobacco in “kid-friendly” flavours such as grape and cherry in Ontario, Canada.
  • Ontario, has also placed a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and vaporisers to people under the age of 19.
  • In the UK, a prison smoking ban will be phased in after a seven-year battle
  • In Hawaii the smoking ban becomes even stricter and it has become illegal to sell tobacco products and e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 21.
  • Oregon has expanded it’s smoking laws for 2016 and the current ban prevents smoking in workplaces, restaurants and indoor public places has been extended to cover e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other inhalant devices.
  • It will become a Class A misdemeanuor to leave a pet outside in extreme temperatures in the US state of Illinois. This new ban applies to both extremely hot and cold temperatures, and was enacted because several dogs died last winter after being left outside in subzero temperatures.  This new crime will carry a punishment of up to a year in prison and a fine of $2,500 (£1,700)
  • Something a lot of UK post graduates will be pleased to hear is that as of today post grads can apply for Student Loans.
  • In Germany, new rules are in force in the board rooms and supervisory boards of large companies have to include at least 30% women.
  • Japan has introduced My Number which is a social security and tax registration number that residents will carry with them through their lifetimes.  I wonder how many other countries will start doing the same during the year?
  • A slightly strange new law is that “anchoring” a golf club  (holding it against the body during the swing) is no longer permitted.
  • Lambs intended for slaughter in the UK are no longer allowed to have non-electronic slaughter tags.
  • In New South Wales (in Australia) property agents will be prohibited from underquoting a price expected at auction.
  • Though this one is slightly strange, for two weeks from Friday some people in Delhi will only be able to drive their cars every second day in an attempt to reduce pollution in the city. Vehicles affected will be allowed on the road on alternating days, depending on whether their number plates begin with an odd or even number. The law, (does not apply to taxis, buses or cars powered by natural gas or to any female drivers) is an attempt to reduce the pollution levels and general road chaos in a city where apparently 1,500 cars are added to the roads each day, so it comes as no surprise that air quality is ranked “very poor”

You can read the full article here.  Let me know what you think of them.

And normal service resumes tomorrow where I will be sharing some of the strangest laws from past and present!

Rebecca x

#janlawblogpost

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