They are serious. Once, I forgot their laws about chewing gum and asked for it in a shop in the airport. I didn’t get in trouble but I was sternly reminded of their firm law.
Worked with a guy who wondered why everyone on the bus in Singapore was staring at him. He was chewing gum too. I wonder what their laws are on snuff and chewing tobacco.
Used to work with a guy that was getting transferred to Singapore. He nearly panicked when I informed him that I’d sent him a case of gum for Christmas.