Saparmurat Niyazov - Presidency - Internal Affairs - Decrees and Laws

Decrees and Laws

• Niyazov banned the use of lip syncing at public concerts in 2005 as well as sound recordings at "musical performances on state holidays, in broadcasts by Turkmen television channels, at all cultural events organized by the state... in places of mass assembly and at weddings and celebrations organized by the public," citing a negative effect on the development of musical arts incurred by the use of recorded music.
• Niyazov banished dogs from the capital Ashgabat because of their "unappealing odor."
• According to the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru right-hand-drive imported cars converted to left-hand-drive were banned due to a perceived increased risk in accidents.
• Niyazov requested that a "palace of ice", or indoor ice skating rink, be built near the capital, so that those living in the desert country could learn to skate. The palace was built in 2008 and located near the new Turkmen State Medical University.
• After having to quit smoking in 1997 due to his resultant heart surgery, he banned smoking in all public places and ordered all government employees to follow suit. Chewing tobacco on Turkmen soil was later banned as well.
• He outlawed opera, ballet, and the circus in 2001 for being "decidedly unturkmen-like".
• In February 2004 he decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards.
• He banned news reporters and anchors from wearing make-up on television, because he said he found it difficult to distinguish male anchors from female anchors.
• Gold teeth were discouraged in Turkmenistan after Niyazov suggested that the populace chew on bones to strengthen their teeth and lessen the rate at which they fall out. He said:

  I watched young dogs when I was young. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. Those of you whose teeth have fallen out did not chew on bones. This is my advice...