The chewing gum ban in Singapore was enacted in 1992 and revised in 2004. It bans the import and sale of chewing gum in Singapore. Since 2004, chewing gum of therapeutic value has been allowed into Singapore following the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USS-FTA). Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Chewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery designed for fun and chewing. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

Legislation

Chewing gum is banned in Singapore under the "Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations." Except for chewing gum of therapeutic value, the "importing" of chewing gum into Singapore is absolutely banned.

A common misconception among citizens is that personal use quantities of chewing gum are allowed into Singapore. However, according to the set of Regulations, "importing" means to "bring or cause to be brought into Singapore by land, water or air from any place which is outside Singapore ..." any goods, even if they are not for purposes of trade. The set of Regulations also does not make any provisions for personal use quantities to be brought into Singapore. Therefore, bringing chewing gum into Singapore, even small quantities for whatever purpose, is technically prohibited.^[1]

History

In his memoirs^[2], Lee Kuan Yew recounted that as early as 1983, when he was still serving as Prime Minister, a proposal for the ban was brought up to him by the Minister for National Development. Chewing gum was causing serious maintenance problems in high-rise public housing flats, with vandals disposing of spent gum in mailboxes, inside keyholes and even on elevator buttons. Chewing gum left on floors, stairways and pavements in public areas increased the cost of cleaning and damaged cleaning equipment. Gum stuck on the seats of public buses was also considered a problem. However, Lee thought that a ban would be "too drastic" and did not take action. This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Li) Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; born September 16, 1923; also spelled Lee Kwan-Yew), was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. ... For the Jimi Hendrix song, see 1983. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Chewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery designed for fun and chewing. ... HDB Logo The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is the government agency responsible for Singapores public housing programme. ...

In 1987, the S$5 billion metro system, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), began operations. It was then the largest public project ever implemented in Singapore, and expectations were high. One of the champions of the project, Ong Teng Cheong, who later became the first democratically-elected President, declared," …the MRT will usher in a new phase in Singapore's development and bring about a better life for all of us." This article is about the year 1987. ... A diagram of the physical spread of the MRT network across the island (includes lines under construction). ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Ong Ong Teng Cheong (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; January 22, 1936 - February 8, 2002) was the first directly elected President of Republic of Singapore. ... For other uses, see President (disambiguation). ...

It was then reported that vandals had begun sticking chewing gum on the door sensors of MRT trains, preventing the door from functioning properly and causing disruption of train services. Such incidents were rare but costly and culprits were difficult to apprehend. In January 1992, Goh Chok Tong, who had just taken over as Prime Minister, decided on a ban. The restriction on the distribution of chewing gum was enacted in Singapore Statute Chapter 57, the Control of Manufacture Act, which also governs the restriction of alcohol and tobacco. Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. ...

Immediate results of ban

After the ban was announced, the import of chewing gum was immediately halted. However, a reasonable transition period was given to allow shops to clear their existing stocks. After that, the sale of chewing gum was completely terminated.

When first introduced, the ban caused much controversy and some open defiance. Some took the trouble of traveling to neighbouring Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to purchase chewing gum. Offenders were publicly "named and shamed" by the government, to serve as a deterrent to other would-be smugglers. As time passed and the uproar died down, however, Singaporeans became accustomed to the lack of chewing gum.^{[citation needed]} Surprisingly, no black market for chewing gum in Singapore ever emerged, though some Singaporeans occasionally did manage to smuggle some chewing gum from Johor Bahru for their own consumption.^{[citation needed]} Nickname: Motto: Berkhidmat, Berbudaya, Berwawasan (English: Servicing, cultured, visionary) Location in Malaysia Coordinates: Country Malaysia State Johor Establishment 1855 Granted city status 1994 Government  - Mayor Latiff Yusof Area  - City 185 km²  (72. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into underground economy. ...

International attention

In the mid 1990s, Singapore’s forbidding laws began to receive intense international coverage and attention from civil rights activists. The U.S. media sensationalised the case of Michael P. Fay, the American teenager who was sentenced to caning in Singapore for vandalism (spray paint, not chewing gum). They also zeroed in on Singapore’s other peculiar laws, including the "mandatory flushing in public toilets" ruling. It was around this time that Singapore developed its infamous "nanny state" image, where the movements of every citizen are constantly scrutinised and dictated by the government. A common joke is that Singapore is a "fine" country, a jibe at the excessive number of fines Singapore imposes for acts like jaywalking. Many in the outside world saw laws such as the ban on chewing gum as excessively aggressive and even autocratic.^{[citation needed]} For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Michael Peter Fay (born May 30, 1975) is an American who was caned in Singapore on May 5, 1994, for theft and vandalism despite pleas from the United States government and press for clemency. ... This article is about the physical punishment. ... Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or anything else that goes against the will of the owner/governing body. ... Nanny state is a derogatory term that refers to state protectionism, economic interventionism, or regulatory policies, and the perception that these policies are becoming institutionalized as common practice. ... For other uses, see Jaywalk (disambiguation). ...

Singapore leaders responded by arguing that as a sovereign state, Singapore had the rights to formulate its own policies based on its own unique political and cultural values.^{[citation needed]} Besides, they argued, these policies would result in greater overall benefits for the country. When a BBC reporter suggested that overly draconian laws would stifle the people's creativity, Lee Kuan Yew retorted: "If you can't think because you can't chew, try a banana."^[3] For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Li) Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; born September 16, 1923; also spelled Lee Kwan-Yew), was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. ...

The image of Singapore as an uptight, stiff-necked republic continues to be widely upheld and gleefully lampooned by foreigners.^{[citation needed]} This is despite a concentrated effort by the government to portray Singapore in a more favourable light.^{[citation needed]} The recent loosening of the ban on chewing gum is part of these efforts.

Revision of the Act

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U.S. President George W. Bush and Singapore Prime Minister Chok Tong Goh sign a free trade agreement in White House, May 6, 2003. White House photo by Tina Hager.

The issue of chewing gum moved into an unexpected arena: international trade negotiation. In 1999, during a midnight golf game, United States President Bill Clinton and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong agreed to initiate talks between the two countries for a bilateral free trade agreement (USS-FTA)^[4]. The talks later continued under the new administration of President George W. Bush. Details of the closed-door negotiations are unknown, but it became apparent that by the final phase of the negotiation in early 2003, there remained two sticky issues: the War in Iraq and chewing gum. United States President George W. Bush and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong sign a Free Trade Agreement at the White House on May 6, 2003. ... United States President George W. Bush and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong sign a Free Trade Agreement at the White House on May 6, 2003. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... The Priminster of Singa pyohbsdg vjhd|Lee Kuan Yew||3 June 1959 || 28 November 1990 || 1968 GE 94. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ...

First, U.S. officials requested that Singapore express support for U.S. invasion of Iraq, which was readily agreed without fanfare. Second, they demanded that Singapore lift the ban on chewing gum. The Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company enlisted the help of a Washington, D.C lobbyist and Illinois Congressman Phil Crane, then-chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, to get chewing gum on the agenda of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.^[5] Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... The Wrigley Company (NYSE: WWY) was founded on April 1, 1891 originally selling products such as soap and baking powder. ... ... Lobbying is the practice of private advocacy with the goal of influencing a governing body, in order to ensure that an individuals or organizations point of view is represented in the government. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Phil Crane, right, meets with President George W. Bush and Bill Thomas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. ... A Chairman is the presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or other deliberative body. ... The US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed May 6, 2003 and ratified by the US House of Representatives on July 24, 2003 by a vote of 272-155. ...

This caused serious dilemma to Singapore leaders. They knew that the USS-FTA would be a great boost to Singapore's economy and they could not afford the negotiation to be dragged by the chewing gum issue, but to give in easily would have had political consequences.^{[citation needed]}

Beside its authoritative rules, the long-running Singapore government was also known for its creativity in formulating "creative" schemes to tackle social problems, including the Corrective Work Order, Certificate of Entitlement and Nominated Member of Parliament.^{[citation needed]} This time, they managed to pull out another trick. First, they recognised the proven health benefits of certain gums, such as Wrigley's Orbit brand of sugar-free gum that contains calcium lactate to strengthen tooth enamel. Second, the sales of this newly categorised medicinal gum was allowed, provided it was sold by a dentist or pharmacist, who must take down the names of buyers. Healthcare professionals were not amused by this new responsibility.^{[citation needed]} Corrective Work Order, commonly known as CWO, is one of the two penalties (the other is a fine) in Singapore to be meted out to litterbugs (those who are caught littering in the public street). ... The Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) is a scheme instituted by the government of Singapore to curb car ownership, and hence, the number of vehicles on the countrys roads. ... A Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) is an unelected MP that does not represent any electoral district in the Parliament of Singapore. ... Calcium lactate is a white crystalline salt made by the action of lactic acid on calcium carbonate; used in foods (as a baking powder) and given medicinally. ... Tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body,[1] and with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth. ...

Soon, the USS-FTA was signed, the ban was revised and the gum lobbyists declared victory. "They were tough," Crane said of the talks. Some found it surprising that Wrigley had fought hard on this battle, given the small size of Singapore's chewing market. But the company said it was worth it. "There's many examples in our history of things that may have not made short-term financial sense but was the right thing to do in a philosophical or long-term sense," said Mr. Christopher Perille, Wrigley's senior director of corporate communications. Wrigley is now planning how to rebuild Singapore's market, such as using billboards. They may face another obstacle: all advertisements for medical products must be approved by the Health Sciences Authority.^[5] Phil Crane, right, meets with President George W. Bush and Bill Thomas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Meanwhile, with USS-FTA, Singapore's $20 billion annual exports to the United States will soon enjoy free tariffs, with potential duty savings of $150 million. It is expected to boost Singapore's gross domestic product by 0.5%.^{[citation needed]}

Biodegradable Gum Being Researched

If gum were made of biodegradable material then the problem of cleaning up gum might be mitigated. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have been experimenting with replacing part of the gum base with biodegradable zein (maize protein). [1] Uiuc is the short form of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. ... Zein is a class of prolamine protein found in maize. ...

References

1. ^ Phua, Ree Kee (2005). "Reply to enquiry on Chewing Gum." E-mail to Wei Zhong Goh.
2. ^ Lee Kuan Yew (2000). From Third World to First: The Singapore Story. ISBN 0060197765
3. ^ BBC News | FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT | Singapore's elder statesman
4. ^ Bill Clinton (2004). My Life. Knopf. ISBN 0-375-41457-6.
5. ^ ^{a b} Cris Prystay "At long last, gum is legal in Singapore, but there are strings", The Wall Street Journal, June 4, 2004.

1. Ho Khai Leong (2003) Shared Responsibilities, Unshared Power: The Politics of Policy-Making in Singapore, ISBN 981-210-218-3.