Singapore Laws You Need to Know Before Your Trip

Since it's rise to Independence in the 1960's, Singapore has quickly become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in all of Asia. With it's breathtaking architecture, world renowned gardens and incredible shopping facilities, it's easy to understand how Singapore has found itself where it is today. Of course, if you are planning a trip to or through Singapore, there are a few laws which you must be aware of.

Maybe the most interesting regulated law in Singapore is the ban on chewing gum. It is illegal to posses, chew, or sell gum within the country. I myself almost got into trouble for this because I was munching down on some doublemint while stepping off of my plane from South Korea. A first time offense can generate a fine of $500 (which roughly equates to 375 U.S. dollars). I'm not sure how this law first came about, but I'm willing to guess the wrong government official stepped on a piece of gum one-to-many times. So if your breath needs some freshing up, it's best just to stick with a mint.

Now Singapore is an extremely clean city, and for those of you traveling elsewhere in South east Asia, I'm sure you'll appreciate it's cleanliness. However that does come at a price. If caught littering small items such as receipts, cigarette butts or wrappers (like one from the piece of chewing gum you shouldn't be chewing), you will incur a fine of S$300 ($225 U.S.), and the fine increases the larger the item.

Jaywalking inside of the United States is illegal, however it generally isn't frowned upon and police rarely had out citations for this offense. But the case is quite different in Singapore. A fine of S$500 ($375 U.S.) is handed out to all first time offenders. This not only includes walking through the middle of a street, but crossing through a pedestrian walkway when the signal is red. So if your not sure if your allowed to cross at a particular point, you'll be better off to wait until you see a designated path.

The last major law that I see tourists having trouble with (that I'm going to cover) is smoking. I'll be frank to say if your a heavy smoker, Singapore might not be the place for you. This is just a quick rundown of the places smoking is illegal: Most indoor locations (air conditioned shopping malls and offices, cinemas, swimming pools, sports stadiums, playgrounds, bus interchanges and shelters. You can smoke in certain designated areas around the premises of dinning facilities and entertainment establishments A S$200 ($150 U.S.) fine is given out for a first offense. If that's not enough of a head ache to remember, bringing in more than one packet of cigarettes that isn't declared at customs will bring it's own stiff fine of S$500 ($375 U.S.) per pack!

I've included below a list of other common fines for tourists inside of Singapore.

Chewing Gum: S$500 ($375 U.S.)
Littering: S$300 ($225)
Jaywalking: S$500 ($375)
Smoking in illegal area: S$200 ($150)
Pack of Cigarettes not declared: S$500 ($375)
Spitting in Public: S$500 ($375)
Eating in a public bus or MRT: S$500 ($375)

Well, that's the majority of the common fines that tourists run into. There are many additional fines for driving, so I would recommend not even attempting it (the public transportation is more than adequate). Now despite all the hefty fines and regulations, I whole-heatedly recommend Singapore to anyone and everyone. It is a beautiful city and more than enough to see and do. Outside of the beaches in Southern Thailand, this is probably my favorite destination in all of South East Asia.