Gum Returns to Singapore After 12 Years

Tuesday, May 25th, 2004

Singapore wouldn’t work as a fictional nation. No one would find it remotely plausible. From Gum Returns to Singapore After 12 Years:

Ultra-tidy Singapore is lifting its notorious ban on chewing gum after 12 long years — but only for registered users. Gum dealers face jail if they break the rules.

Before Singaporeans think about unwrapping a pack of the Wrigley’s Orbit gum that’s just started selling here — and only in pharmacies — they have to submit their names and ID card numbers. If they don’t, pharmacists who sell them gum could be jailed up to two years and fined $2,940.

Why did Singapore back down on its ban?

Gum became a sticking point months ago in Singapore’s free trade talks with Washington, when Representative Philip Crane of the U.S. state of Illinois — home of chewing gum giant Wrigley — pressed the issue.

Singapore compromised, agreeing to allow only the sale of “therapeutic” gum in pharmacies. The free trade pact took effect Jan. 1.

The Health Sciences Authority, responding to questions from The Associated Press, said it’s allowed the sale of 19 “medicinal” and “dental” gum products.

Wrigleys’ Orbit, which the company claims is good for teeth, hit pharmacy shelves just days ago. Pfizer’s Nicorette, a nicotine gum meant to help smokers kick their addiction, has been available since March.

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