Not available without a prescription
I previously alluded to Singapore's notorious gum ban. Turns out that my information was somewhat outdated, according to this 2002 article:
Singapore has agreed to relax its decade-long ban on chewing gum.
The pristine city-state, which did not like gum sticking to its pavements, has been under pressure to lift the ban as part of a trade deal with the US.
But Singapore's gum-chewers are not salivating yet - the government says chewing gum will only be available to people with a medical prescription....
"There's a compromise agreed between the two countries, where sugarless gum prescribed by doctors and dentists as having therapeutic benefits will be sold by pharmacists," Tommy Koh told reporters.
However, even smokers who have been prescribed gum to help them stop smoking will not get their fix immediately, as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is unlikely to take effect until after 2004....
The import, manufacture and sale of chewing gum has been banned in Singapore since 1992, and the penalty for smuggling gum into the country is a year in jail, and a 10,000 Singapore dollar- ($5,500-) fine.
The ban was finally lifted in 2004:
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 Wrigley's Orbit gum that's just started selling here -- and only in pharmacies -- they must 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 5,000 Singapore dollars ($2,940)....
Wrigleys' Orbit, which the company claims is good for teeth, hit pharmacy shelves just days ago. Pfizer Inc.'s Nicorette, a nicotine gum meant to help smokers kick their addiction, has been available since March.
Nicorette costs 19 Singapore dollars ($11) for a pack of 30 pieces. A pack of Orbit goes for S$1.60 (94 cents).
Singaporeans, many of whom have long derided the chewing gum ban, seemed unimpressed by the change.
"It's ridiculous that it's easier for 16-year-olds to visit prostitutes than it is to get chewing gum here," said Fayen Wong, a 22-year old college student. Prostitution is legal in parts of Singapore -- and no registration is required.
"Why would I go through the trouble of getting nicotine gum if I can buy a pack of cigarettes without giving my name?" said Wong. "I don't think the new rules will help smokers to quit."...
Comments