Chewing gum ban in Singapore

It is a sticky issue that has made headlines around the world. However, the Government's ban on the sale of chewing gum in Singapore will remain.
'We remain concerned that lifting the ban on the sale of chewing gum could result in chewing gum litter resurfacing as a problem, and undermine our on-going efforts to curb littering,' Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for National Development said in Parliament today.
He said that Singapore had imposed a ban in 1992 because people thoughtlessly left the gum on public places, there was vandalism, and service disruptions when gum was stuck between the doors of trains, informs straitstimes.com.
Since the ban, chewing gum litter 'has not been a significant problem', he said, adding that in 2004, the Government made an exception to sell chewing gum with medicinal value such as gum to help smokers quit, or products of dental hygiene.

09.03.10