Countries ban lip-synching, pit bulls, gum, the word 'e-mail'

Does this mean Ashlee Simpson would be barred from visiting Turkmenistan?

Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov recently banned lip-synching in the Central Asian nation, citing "a negative effect on the development of singing and musical art." The most powerful cultural arbiter since the Queer Eye guys, Niyazov also outlawed opera and ballet. Will synchronized swimming be next?

In honor of Niyazov's long arm, take a look at the most interesting cultural bans from around the world, past and present.

Fighting Franglais

The word "e-mail" is no longer allowed in any of the French government's documents, publications or Web sites. Government workers must instead use a French phrase such as "courriel" when referring to electronic mail. The move is the latest example of France's efforts to keep English words from seeping into the country's lexicon.

Quit dogging Canada

No one in Ontario, Canada can breed pit bulls or bring them into the province. Vicious dog attacks prompted the province's attorney general to take action.

Driving is overrated, anyway

In Saudi Arabia, women aren't allowed to drive cars. Under the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islam, the provision is meant to prevent women from mixing with men who aren't relatives.

Wild world

The United States has banned Cat Stevens. Well, you can actually still buy his music. But the "Peace Train" singer, now known as Yusuf Islam, has been barred from entering the country. The government says Islam's name turned up on a "no-fly list" of people with suspected ties to terrorism.

Bad breath capital

The Asian city-state of Singapore outlawed chewing gum from 1992-2004. The ban was enacted to help keep streets and subways clean but was lifted after pressure from U.S. politicians on behalf of chewing gum manufacturers. That, and local dentists lost tons of revenue.

Get a new hobby

Lahore, Pakistan banned the flying of kites for several months in 2003. Why? The ban was enacted because of injuries and deaths from kite flying in this kite-crazy city where people use metal-reinforced strings to battle each others' kites.