Who rules the world or ... e.g. Singapore?

Singapore swallows its pride over gum
By Edward Alden in Washington
Published: July 9 2003 5:00 | Last Updated: July 9 2003 5:00

Two months after signing their free trade agreement, the United States and Singapore have finally resolved the last sticking point in the deal: chewing gum.


At the insistence of Wrigley, the US gum-maker, the government of Singapore has opened the first significant hole in its decade-long ban on chewing gum.

Singapore, an island state of legendary cleanliness, banned all gum in 1992 to prevent spent wads from sticking to trains, buildings and pavements. But under pressure from the US during the trade talks last year, Singapore agreed to a "modest" easing of the ban. Gum would be allowed, but only when prescribed by a doctor or dentist for "therapeutic benefits".

That was not enough for Chicago-based Wrigley, the world's largest gum-maker. It insisted that its sugar-free gums be sold over the counter, and enlisted members of Congress to make the case, led by Phil Crane, chairman of the House Ways & Means trade sub-committee.

Chan Heng Chee, Singapore's ambassador to the US, said that "after a very serious and long process" of negotiation, the government's health officials had agreed that Wrigley's Orbit brand of sugar-free gums could be sold without a prescription. She said that three of the gum's ingredients, including the sweetener xylitol, were deemed to have "therapeutic benefits", although she acknowledged: "Frankly, I have no idea what they are."

Wrigley said gum helped to ease sore throats, clear sinuses and settle the stomach. While the company would prefer all its gum be sold freely in Singapore, it said, "you have to walk before you run".