Being at the forefront of technology in South East Asia, as well as a global financial hub, Singapore attracts a colourful crowd of both residents and tourists to its already multi-cultural heritage. This abundance of technology and culture is apparent throughout the island, from Gardens by the Bay to the myriad cuisines available and from traditional shophouses to modern-day skyscrapers, the island is constantly evolving and moving at a rapid speed. Another known fact about Singapore is its ban on chewing gum, a fact amusing to some but nevertheless a law abided by its citizens for over 25 years! This list will be useful if you’re visiting as another nickname Singapore goes by is, a “fine” city. So to ensure you don’t end up with a fine, take note of the top things that are illegal in Singapore.
1. E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes have swept the tobacco industry by storm, claiming a “healthier” and more affordable option to cigarettes. It’s a device that simulates smoking. Nicotine is still inhaled by the smoker, except it is heated via a liquid which is then exhaled as vapour, and does not contain all the other ingredients typically found in a cigarette. As it’s been around for shorter than cigarettes have, the research and effects on users are still in its infancy, and whether it truly is a better alternative has yet to be justified. Its usage has been increasing across the globe due to its affordability and the use of less harmful chemicals but is currently illegal in Singapore due to the ambiguity of its long-term effects and the risk of youth picking up the habit of smoking. Possession and use of an e-cigarette in Singapore can result in a fine of up to 2,000 SGD, and anyone found distributing can be fined up to 20,000 SGD, jailed for up to six months, or both.
2. Chewing gum
A main driver of the ban was born out of deterring vandals from disrupting the train lines by sticking used gum on the door sensors. This habit of sticking used gum is often seen underneath benches and in cinemas, lifts, and corridors which as one can imagine, can be an unpleasant affair to encounter, and not to mention unhygienic. It was also reported that the Housing Development Board (HDB) spent 150,000 SGD annually cleaning up chewing gum litter. The combination of the above factors led to the eventual ban of chewing gum in 1992. In 2004, the ban was lifted partially only to allow the sale of therapeutic gum such as nicotine or oral gum. The fine for selling chewing gum starts from 2,000 SGD and up to 10,000 SGD and/or jail if one is importing. According to the laws, it is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore so if you happen to have some in your pocket at the time you visit, you will not be penalized. However, if you are caught littering said chewing gum, then that’s in violation of another law which you can read about in later in this article.
3. Shisha
Shisha is a device used to burn often sweet/flavoured tobacco on charcoal, and filtered through a water pipe, resulting in the inhalation of flavoured water and exhalation of fragrant vapour. Due to Singapore’s measures on the reduction of tobacco consumption, the city has banned the use of shisha across the island. Anyone caught importing or selling could be jailed up to six months and/or fined up to 10,000 SGD.
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4. Durian (in public transport)
The durian fruit has a thorny green exterior, with creamy seeds on the inside, and is notoriously known for its pungent odour. It is quite commonly in the South East Asia region, and eaten as is or used to flavour dishes and snacks such as ice cream, biscuits, and cakes. However, due to its strong fragrance, it is not allowed on public transport in Singapore as the odour does tend to linger particularly in air-conditioned environments that are enclosed. This “ban” does not come with a hefty fine as yet, but it’s become an unspoken understanding amongst the nation. If you are found to be carrying durians on the public transport, an official would most likely come to tell you politely that you can’t do so but if you are persistent, that could result in a fine.
5. Littering
Singapore’s noticeably clean streets could well be attributed to the fines imposed on littering in the city. Essentially, one can’t drop, place, or throw an article or thing in a public place unless its in a dustbin. This includes plastic cups, tissues, cigarettes, and rubber bands. This is policed most commonly through NEA (National Environment Agency) officers often dressed in plain clothes, or occasionally via cameras or complaints from other citizens. Fines range from 300 SGD to 1,000 SGD, depending on the offence and repetition of offence.
6. Drugs
Singapore’s draconian laws are known the world over, especially the country’s seriousness towards drugs. Under the MDA (Misuse of Drugs Act), there are three main types of offences: possession, consumption, and trafficking. The penalties for possession and consumption are a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, or a fine of 20,000 SGD, or both. Possession and consumption also isn’t limited to just being in the country. If a Singaporean is tested at the border from a random check, they can be penalised as equally as if they were caught in Singapore. The penalties for trafficking are heavier and depend on the class and quantity of the drugs. The penalty ranges from imprisonment, strokes of the cane, to the death penalty.
7. Buying alcohol after 10:30pm
Under “The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act”, drinking is banned in public places from 10:30pm to 7am and retail shops are not allowed to sell takeaway alcohol during that time. You can still pop into a bar or restaurant and consume alcohol at the vicinity as they have the permitted licenses, as “public places” in this instance refers to places freely accessed by the public such as HDB void decks, parks, or beaches. As such, you are free to consume alcohol in privately held properties such as condominiums and chalets. There are stricter bans in designated “Liquor Control Zones” areas such as Geylang and Little India with a higher risk of public disorder due to excessive drinking. This is one of the main reasons the law was passed - to minimize public disorder due to drinking in public. Anyone caught in violation of the laws can be fined up to 1,000 SGD and repeat offenders may be fined up to 2,000 SGD and jailed up to three months. Shops selling outside of the permitted hours can be fined up to 10,000 SGD.
8. Feeding pigeons
Pigeons are considered a “pest” in Singapore, and as such, feeding of pigeons has been heavily discouraged. The reason being, pigeon droppings dirty the environment, and when feeding them, leftover food could also attract other pests such as rats which are a risk to public health as they carry diseases. There have been several cases of fines being issued for feeding the pigeons, which started from 500 SGD.
9. Spitting
Spitting is generally frowned upon and seen as an unhygienic habit, but very rarely do you find someone being issued a fine for doing so. Unless you’re in Singapore! Slightly extreme but due to the general unhygienic nature of the act, this law is one that’s slightly more accepted. If you are caught spitting in Singapore, be prepared to pay a fine of 300 SGD as a first-time offender. Similar to littering, this is policed with the help of NEA officers dressed in plain clothes, CCTV cameras, or complaints from citizens.
10. Graffiti
Graffiti falls under the Vandalism Act, which falls under the destroying or defacing of public or personal properties. Once again, this law is extreme much like many of other Singapore’s laws and, as such, was met with mixed emotions and reactions from the general public -particularly those who view graffiti as a form of art and expression of creativity. As a means of compromise, Singapore has since created legal places for street art such as graffiti to thrive. These murals are scattered around the island with some notable ones in the Arab Street and Chinatown areas.
A fine city
It is debatable whether the extremity of penalties in Singapore are justified and perhaps some are even laughable to the unfamiliar. However, the results of clean, healthy, and safe streets are evidenced and enjoyed by both tourists and locals. So on your next visit to Singapore, be sure to take note of the items on this list and enjoy this fine city without getting fined.
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