You Need ID To Buy Gum In Singapore

Is it a crime to chew gum?

gum

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

ban: to disallow
disposal: the throwing away of waste
sensor: a device that receives a signal and responds
Free Trade Agreement: a formal agreement between countries to trade freely without government interference
medicinal: containing a substance that provides health benefits
pharmacy: a place where legal drugs and prescriptions are sold
smuggling: the act of secretly bringing an illegal substance into an area

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You Need ID to Buy Gum in Singapore

In 1992, Singapore banned the sale and of chewing gum. The ban was due to improper disposal of gum by disrespectful citizens and tourists. The disposal of gum in , elevators, or on the seats or doors of buses and trains was expensive to clean up. The Singaporean government introduced the ban when transportation was disrupted a few times due to gum on the door sensors of its modern trains. In 2004, following the Singapore-US Free Trade Agreement, the chewing gum ban was changed , allowing dentists and pharmacists in Singapore to sell medicinal gum. Pharmacies have to be to sell chewing gum, and pharmacists must check the ID of the buyer and record who bought the gum. The act of chewing gum is not in Singapore; however, tourists can be charged with “gum smuggling” if they try to bring large amounts of chewing gum into the country.

Comprehension Questions

What reason did the government have for introducing the ban in 1992?
What change was made to the ban in 2004?
Why shouldn’t tourists bring gum into Singapore?

Discussion Question: Do you think people should have the freedom to buy and chew gum in public, or should gum-chewing be done behind closed doors?

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3 comments

Sabri ISMAIL says:

In my opinion we must respect the law of the country guest, it’s a civilization act. It’s a good think to have a derogation or exception for people that need a gum, a prescription or medicinal exception can be made by pharmacists or doctors.
In my opinion it’s a wisdom decision make it by Singapore government.
Donia BEN MANSOUR says:

i think that bannnig chewing gum is not a solution because people can get it with slumming, in contrast , people have to change their behaviour when they consume it in public places in the similar way when they consume it in their home.
Soumaya ALOUI says:

for me I can’t live without a gum because it has an advantage as reducing the stress when we chew gum so I can’t take Singapour as an example .

You Need ID To Buy Gum In Singapore

Interesting Facts in Easy English

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