In 1992, in an attempt to establish Singapore as an idyllic enclave, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew introduced a set of stringent laws — like banning chewing gum, according to the BBC.
The leader believed gum would sully the country’s pavement and subway carts.
As of 2004, pharmacists and dentists are allowed to sell “therapeutic” gum to patients with medical prescriptions for it.
Today, it is legal to transport a small amount of gum to the country for personal use, but the vending of it remains illicit, and leaving masticated gum as litter results in a hefty fine.