Why would Singapore ban Chewing Gum?

Question

I was planning a trip there, and was planning on carrying some Orbit there, but... Why woud they do that? It seems a bit rediculous.

Answer 1

Seems like there is a lot of misconception where Singapore is concerned. For the record, yes an American teen was whipped not because he sprayed paint, he did more. He stole public properties to decorate his room too. And just in case you do not know, when he went back to the US, he was arrested by the police for bashing his parents. So the whipping in Singapore was not enough to correct him. So please, know the real happennings.

As for gums, it was too expensive and costly for the public to clean the irresponsible acts of gum throwing in public transport and places. Banning the gum solved the problem, after a length of cleaning and we are proud to keep it that way. Gums are allowed now, as form of dental treatment. And proper disposal is appreciated.

We had US and UK munuicipal officers visit us who had wished they could simply implement the banning of gums in their own city as this was creating problems for their transport system. They acknowledged that Singapore did the right move from the start, while they are complicated by their own internal rules.

So, you can bring your Orbits, just help us keep the environment clean of unwanted gums.

Answer 2

The chewing gum ban was put in place because it was causing maintenance problems for the city and especially the public transit system. The law was revised in 2004 to allow for gum of a therapeutic variety but I am not exactly sure what that means. Essentially they put in a new mass transit system and people were sticking gum everywhere, especially the door sensors and it was costing a lot of money to fix, so they banned gum.

Answer 3

Just sharing my experience. I bought chewing gum here in Sin about a month ago. Its true as 'peanutz' said. Those so called sugar-free and dont caused tooth decay. Well, not really that dental treatment.
Its good to keep the city clean and nice. Especially when there are not many people know that ever since 2004, we can buy tat kind of chewing gum from pharmacies here. Not from candy shop nor supermarket, remember this.
I was surprised to see that in a pharmacy called Guardian. (brand named ORBIT, u r right).
And more surprised to hear that b4 i paid for it, the pharmacist asked me to sign on their log book with my name, IC number and contact phone number.....haha......
wat do u think of this wonderful act???
Of course u can bring in gum, but pls help to keep our country clean.

Answer 4

Compare riding on the subway in new york to riding one in singapore, it's like night and day. Singapore is so clean, I would say outlawing gum is a worthy sacrifice. Anyway, you can still bring gum, you just cant buy it there. Only the sale of gum is illegal.

Answer 5

Singapore is very strict about debris or garbage on their sidewalks. They have ash trays and garbage cans up and down street sides. People found throwing debris are dealt with very severely. So, they want to stop any gum from landing in the wrong place.

Answer 6

Have you ever been walking and stepped in chewing gum without knowing it? Then have it all over your shoes and say in your car or on your carpet? If not, then try it and you will want to ban gum also.

Answer 7

long time ago i heard a case of a foreign teen that had graffitted, it was something minor, but i remember hearing the case that the kid had gotten punished severely for that through...believe or not, but through whip spanking, im not kiddign, i dont remember if the minor was american, but i remember he wasnt from the area. if they get that harsh, imagine what they would do at the airport if you pulled out a back of gum, theyll probably handcuff you and take ya in.

Answer 8

Singapore is a very clean city and it wants to stay that way.

No chewing gun. It is also illegal to eat or drink in public places. They want to keep the streets clean.

Answer 9

NO Brians Lousy place disgusting place

Disgusting place Police State

Answer 10

because (a) it's disgusting how people chew it like cows and (b) people are irresponsible and throw their gum on the floor or stick it on furniture - next time you walk on the sidewalk, notice how many black gum spots exist.