“It's illegal to import, sell, or chew gum in Singapore”
TRUE! It is illegal to import, sell, or manufacture chewing gum in Singapore. Since 2004, therapeutic/dental gum can be purchased from pharmacists with ID registration.
The ban wasn't always inevitable. In 1983, the proposal was considered "too drastic" by PM Lee Kuan Yew. What changed? The opening of the $5 billion Mass Rapid Transit system in 1987. Vandals began sticking gum on MRT train door sensors, causing the doors to malfunction and disrupting service. Two high-profile incidents in July and August 1991 were the final straw. The ban took effect January 3, 1992. Gum litter cases dropped from 525 per day before the ban to just 2 per day by February 1993. The partial lift in 2004 came from US trade negotiations - Wrigley's lobbied hard for therapeutic gum access. Many believe you'll be caned for chewing gum. Caning was never a penalty under this law - that confusion stems from the 1994 Michael Fay vandalism case, which involved spray paint, not gum.
Where the story gets it wrong
Many people believe chewing gum is completely banned in Singapore with no exceptions. In reality, since 2004, therapeutic, dental, and nicotine chewing gums can be purchased from a pharmacist or dentist. Also, chewing gum itself is not illegal — the law targets the import, manufacture, and sale of non-therapeutic gum, not the act of chewing it.
Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations, regulation 3: "Except as provided in regulation 3A, the importation into Singapore of any chewing gum is prohibited." Sale of Food (Prohibition of Chewing Gum) Regulations, regulation 2(1): "Except as provided in paragraph (2), the sale or advertisement for sale of any chewing gum is prohibited." Manufacture is controlled under the Control of Manufacture Act 1959, whose First Schedule lists "Chewing gum, bubble gum, dental chewing gum or any like substance" among the goods that may not be manufactured for sale without registration (section 8(1)).
- Current status
- Actively Enforced
- Enacted
- January 3, 1992
- Penalty
- Up to S$100,000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment for importing/selling; S$500-1,000 for improper disposal