Is it against the law to chew chewing gum in Singapore? Unfortunately there isn’t a simple yes or no answer to it. More like a maybe yes….

Singapore outlawed chewing gum in 1992. The main reason for this was to reduce all the clean up costs of people sticking used gum anywhere but a trash can. It may seem like a draconian measure to most, but it did work to help clean up the country.

Singapore has been mocked for years over its laws restricting personal freedoms and harsh punishments. Caning is still a popular punishment, basically beating the convict with a bamboo stick. Seems like a high price to pay for a stick of gum.

In 2004 the act was revised to allow chewing gum for medical use. The argument is that certain sugar free gums can promote dental health. This doesn’t mean you can walk into a local convenience store and pick up a pack of Bubble Gum though. The sale of gum is highly regulated and has to be purchased from a doctor or dentist who will take your personal information before selling it to you.

As a tourist you can bring small amounts of gum into the country for personal use but only 2 packs. Anything more and you can be considered a smuggler.

Seems like a complicated answer for such a simple question doesn’t it? In short yes you can chew gum but the penalties for littering are severe. Smoking, spitting and other such habits aren’t tolerated. Don’t spit out your gum or you could end up with a hefty fine or even sentenced to community service and publicly humiliated. Is it really worth getting hit with a stick to have a stick? If you’re visiting Singapore it’s best just to leave your gum at home. There’s no reason to risk ruining your vacation or business trip over something so trivial as gum.

And remember – it really doesn’t matter what your thoughts are on the customs of another country. When you are travelling – ensure you know the customs before you leave home  and that way you won’t run foul of the law and end up being punished simply for being ignorant of accepted practices.