prohibitions

Prohibitions are rules or policies that forbid certain actions, materials, or categories of conduct. They may be formal legal prohibitions enacted by legislatures or regulatory agencies, or informal social prohibitions rooted in moral norms. Prohibitions typically specify what is not allowed and the penalties for violations.

Prohibitions vary in scope and duration. Some are absolute, others are conditional or time-limited; exemptions, licenses, or age restrictions may apply. They may target individuals, organizations, or specific contexts and locations, and can reflect public health, safety, moral values, or national security goals.

Common domains include substances such as drugs or alcohol, hazardous materials, weapons, illicit trade, and deceptive or unsafe practices. Some jurisdictions also regulate expression or information, though rights protections often limit such prohibitions.

Enforcement relies on penalties, policing, licensing, and regulatory oversight, and effectiveness depends on resources, compliance incentives, and public support. Prohibitions can reduce harm but may also create illicit markets or unintended consequences, leading to reforms or exemptions.

The best-known example is the Prohibition era in the United States (1920–1933), during which the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages were banned nationwide under the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act. Its repeal under the 21st Amendment highlighted the difficulties of enforcing broad prohibitions.

Today, prohibitions remain common in areas such as controlled substances, age-restricted goods, environmental protections, and trade in endangered species. Debates focus on balancing public interest with individual freedoms and the practicalities of enforcement and unintended effects.