Singapore is known for its clean streets, strict laws and extremely efficient public institutions. But one law there has a tendency to surprise tourists more than others: the ban on chewing gum. Except for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore since 1992. Everybody wonders: why in the world would a country ban something as common as gum?
Why Banned the Chewing Gum in Singapore?
The history of prohibiting chewing gum can be traced as early as in the early 1990s. Then, the Singaporean government noticed a serious problem: people were sticking chewing gum on public surfaces, especially on train doors, mailboxes, staircases, and even elevator buttons.
This created serious maintenance issues. For example, when chewing gum had gotten stuck on the doors of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains in Singapore, the doors would not close, which led to system breakdowns. This delayed public transport and cost the government a lot of money to fix.
The government decided that prohibiting chewing gum entirely was the answer to this problem. In 1992, the “Ban of Chewing Gum” was enforced.
What Exactly Does the Ban Cover?
Under the law, the sale of chewing gum, importing, and distribution are all banned in Singapore. This means that you cannot import chewing gum into the nation or buy it from stores.
But then the government did make some exceptions. From 2004 onwards, medical or dental chewing gum, like nicotine gum (to stop smoking) or sugar-free gum (to stop cavities), is permitted. But even those are only available for purchase with a doctor’s or dentist’s prescription. Therefore, chewing gum is not outright banned but highly prohibited.
Penalties for Violating the Law
Singapore takes laws seriously, and the prohibition of chewing gum is no exception. You can shell out the nose in fines, up to several thousand dollars, if you are caught importing or selling gum illegally.
For ordinary citizens, chewing gum is not a crime. If you already have gum to use for personal consumption, you will not be fined just for chewing it. The main bans are on buying and selling gum. However, spitting out gum along roads or putting it on the public can also earn fines because of Singapore’s strict cleanliness policies.
How the Ban Affected Singapore
The ban on chewing gum was widely criticized across the globe. It was argued that it was too extreme and even labeled Singapore as a “nanny state” for controlling such a basic habit. But soon enough, the results did all the talking.
- Singapore’s public spaces became neater.
- The expense of keeping MRT trains and other facilities lower.
- Singapore gained a reputation as being among the cleanest cities in the world.
- Singapore’s spotless reputation attracts tourists and shows how strict rules and discipline can shape society.
Who Impose the Ban?
Singapore Customs and the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has impose the ban. Customs officers do strict checking at borders and airports to prevent people from entering the country with chewing gum. Local law enforcement agencies also ensure vendors and stores do not illegally sell gum.
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What Tourists Should Know
If you are visiting Singapore, here are a few simple rules:
- Don’t bring big quantities of chewing gum.
- Remember that you may chew gum for personal use but can’t buy it there.
- If you use nicotine or dental gum on a doctor’s prescription, carry evidence (a medical note).
- As long as you follow these conventions, you won’t have any problems.
Singapore’s banning of chewing gum is the world’s most unusual law but ath the same time it’s a proof of Singapore’s commitment to orderliness, hygiene, and discipline.
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