Should the Ban on Chewing Gum Be Lifted??

Yahoo News ^ | Wed Nov 20,10:11 AM ET | Yahoo News

[yonif]

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore may partially lift its decade-long ban on chewing gum as part of a new trade deal with the United States but locals say the ban should be scrapped entirely.

The United States and Singapore said Tuesday they had largely finalized a free trade agreement which covered services, telecommunications, investments, tourism -- and even modifications to the curb on gum imports.

"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," Singapore's chief negotiator, Tommy Koh, told local media. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, who was in Singapore to close the deal, called the gum concession "a modest entry point."

The import, sale and manufacture of the sticky confectionery was banned in the squeaky-clean city state in 1992 after leftover gum disrupted subway operations.

The chewing gum sanction has since become the source of many jokes but the long-ruling government has refused to back down.

"They don't let people decide. On the other hand, people are not responsible enough for their environment," said Jean Leopold, a 29-year old mother and businesswoman.

"It's taxpayers' money used to clean up the place when people eat chewing gum and stick it all over."

The free trade deal may allow for the sale of gum which helps smokers wean themselves off cigarettes but it is unlikely that the government will allow packs of gum to flood grocery store shelves.

Avid chewing gum fans can easily cross the border to neighboring Malaysia to buy their personal supplies.

Locals say change is long overdue.

"The whole ban idea was not a good idea to start with but it did help to educate Singaporeans about the nuisance effects of chewing gum," said 41-year old manager Daniel Quek.

"Now Singaporeans, including kids, are more mature about their civic responsibilities. It's time for the chewing gum ban to go."

[Argh]

Rush is responsible for the chewing gum ban...

whoops

sorry

[Vidalia]

But what about taffy and all those other corn starch chewies like Hot Tamales and Gummy Bears?

Will this horrid oppression never end...?

[babble-on]

The ban needs to remain in place. Although some people might be able to use chewing gum responsibly, others will not, and there's no question that gum use will rise if the ban is lifted. All in all, its too risky to let people choose to behave responsibly. The chance that a few might turn to Bit-O-Honey, or even Gummi Bears is not worth the risk for society.

[EggsAckley]

the sale of gum which helps smokers wean themselves off cigarettes

Um...........let's see. Gum is bad because it gets thrown around. But are they not leaving cigarette butts around anyway? Hmmmm........

[general_re]

You can have my gum when you pry it from my cold, dead mouth...

[Argh]

my cold, dead mouth...

Why does this phrase remind me of you?

[general_re]

1) Obtain gasoline.
2) Throw gasoline on fire.
3) Run away and pretend it was someone else that did it.

[Vidalia]

I've heard of real Jelly Bellies being cut with the inferior look-a likes with devastating emotional results when the truth be told...

[babble-on]

Oh, so you're saying "Legalize It, so we can regulate the quality." Well I don't buy that for a second.

[Vidalia]

I don't care for some government pinhead telling me what I may or may not put into my own body.

All of my friends tell me that my own home made "Bathtub Ginney Beans" are some of the best they have ever tasted...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

my cold, dead mouth...

Why does this phrase remind me of you?

Because, I told you that the only part of my body you would ever get to touch would be my cold, death mouth when I died............... (lol)

[weegee]

Second hand gum has proven itself to be an environmental hazzard for those in the vicinity.

Gum manufacturers would have users believe that just because it is "chew", it causes no problems.

Candy cigarettes and bubblegum cigars are also included in the ban.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I thought Singapore caned people who defaced property. With a draconian approach like that, they had to ban the product too?

[weegee]

I hear that they want to ban the movie Lolita because the title character is a bad influence (she is seen chewing gum in several scenes).

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

only with extensive background checks

[xm177e2]

Should the Ban on Chewing Gum Be Lifted??

No! Gum has a terrible effect on society. Especially when kids use it, they spit it on the ground or stick it under their desks at school. And people of all ages stick it under tables at restaurants.

Bring the ban here! There oughtta be a law! </sarcasm>

[weegee]

What about the ill health effects? Does it really take 7 years to digest gum if you swallow it?

Non-chewers should not have to pay the same rates for dental insurance as chewers.

[blam]

Singapore Relaxes Chewing Gum Ban

[Argh]

You'd be astounded what we necrophiliacs enjoy...