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
You Need ID To Buy Gum In Singapore
In 1992, Singapore banned the sale and import of chewing gum. The ban was due toimproper disposal of gum by disrespectful citizens and tourists. The disposal of gum in mailboxes, 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 slightly, allowing dentists and pharmacists in Singapore to sell medicinal gum. Pharmacies have to be licensed 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 illegal in Singapore; however, tourists can be charged with “gum smuggling” if they try to bring large amounts of chewing gum into the country.
