 |
|
Chewing
gum sales were illegal in Singapore
|
SINGAPORE,
November 20 (News Agencies) - One of Singapore’s most famous pieces of
legislation is about to come unstuck, with chewing gum sales to be
restored -although strictly for therapeutic reasons and only on medical
prescription.
The
chewing gum question had been a sticking point during two years of
intense negotiations to seal a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
the United States.
Through
long hours of wrangling over banking rights, services, tariffs and labor
laws, the ubiquitous chewing gum issue left a bad taste in the mouths of
U.S. delegates.
But
Singapore chief negotiator Tommy Koh was reported Wednesday, November
20, as saying they eventually found an “ingenious” solution by
making it a medical issue.
Only
“sugarless gum prescribed by doctors and dentists as having
therapeutic and medicinal benefits will be sold in pharmacies”, Koh
told reporters.
“It
was a difficult compromise, but in interests of resolving all
outstanding issues in the spirit of goodwill that exists between the two
delegations, we were extremely ingenious,” he quipped.
U.S.
Trade Representative Robert Zoellick described the resolution as
allowing U.S. gum manufacturers a “modest entry point that is
controlled in a certain fashion”.
But
after a 10-year ban, gum will not become immediately available as the
FTA is unlikely to take effect until 2004.
The
import, manufacture and sale of chewing gum has been banned in the
so-called nanny state since 1992, and the penalty for smuggling gum into
the country is a year in jail and a 10,000 Singapore dollar (5,500 U.S.)
fine.
Chewing
gum was originally banned because authorities considered it a public
nuisance and difficult to clean up.
The
last straw was when pranksters found that gum could be used to jam train
doors and disrupt the service.
However,
health authorities announced last year, when the FTA negotiations were
well under way, that it was reviewing the blanket ban, with the
possibility of a reprieve for nicotine gum to help smokers kick the
habit.
The
Health Sciences Authority said its review was strictly limited to
“chewing gum containing a therapeutic agent and approved for
therapeutic use”.
|
|
Iraq:
- U.S. Approaches 50 Nations for "Help" in Attacking Iraq
- Blix
Praises Iraq Talks, U.S. Asks U.K. to Mobilize Troops
- Inspectors to Check Slipper Factories, Iraqi Press Doesn’t Care
- Ex-Iraqi Army Chief Charged Over Chemical Attacks on Kurds
- Bush Vows Consultation With
Allies on Iraq, Invites NATO Support
- Iraqi Firing Not Breach of U.N. Resolution: Annan
- Nuclear Expert: Trouble Expected to Face Inspection Team
- 12 Cities Across Canada March
Against War on Iraq
- U.S. Plans to Use UN Resolution As
Cover for 'Aggression': Iraq
- Thousands Stage Anti-War, U.S.
Protest in Brussels
Ramadan
-
Muslims in Kosovo Perform Taraweeh in the Open
-
New Muslims Enjoy Peace, Serenity
of Ramadan Fast
-
Ramadan in Malaysia Good for Business
-
“Sharon” Dates &
“Intifada” Ramadan Lamps in Egypt
-
Muslims Need Strong Soup to
Survive Fasting in Cold Russia
-
Annan "Deplores" Israeli Killing of 7 Palestinian Civilians
-
Egyptian Web Activists Stop Juicy Fruit Juice Ad
-
Indian Maoists on Killing Spree
-
Anatomy of Naxalite Violence
-
Brussels, London Exchange Accusations over Oil-Slick Tanker
-
Adult Iranian Siamese Twins Seek Head-Separation in Singapore
-
Freed Pakistani Surgeon Was Questioned By CIA, FBI
-
Singapore to Lift Chewing Gum Ban on Doctors’ Orders
-
U.S. Lawmakers Pass Homeland Security Bill
-
Pro-Russian Chechens To Putin: Make Army Stop Abusing Civilians
-
Afghanistan Frees 248 Pakistanis After UAE Mediation
-
West Is Uneasy Over Malaysia’s Success: Mahathir
-
Ex-Slaves in Mauritania Disagree on Amnesty Report
-
Pakistan
Muslim League Member Elected Speaker of National Assembly
-
No Power Should Enforce Its Will on Iraq: Indian PM
-
Brain Damage May Be Cause For Snoring
-
U.K. Paper Slams Europe for Threatening Africa's Ecology
-
Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Urges Young Afghans to Maintain Muslim Faith
-
U.S.
Appeals Court Gives Justice Department Expanded Wiretap Powers
-
French Court to Rule on Racist, Anti-Muslim Book
Palestine:
-
At Least 11 Killed, 40 Injured in
Jerusalem Bus Blast
-
Resistance Only Way to End Israeli Occupation: Mussa
-
Mitzna Sweeps Labor Primaries, Palestinians Cautiously Welcome
-
Mitzna
Elected New Labor Party Leader: Poll
-
Israeli Army Kills Five Palestinians in Tulkarem
-
Israel’s Labor Party Chooses Dovish New Leader
-
Over 20% of Palestinian Children
Suffering Malnutrition: U.N.
-
9 Arab-Israelis on Trial for
Challenging Job Office Racism
-
Israel Destroys Palestinian Security Forces Building in Gaza Raid
-
Chechen
War Reaches Moscow
-
World
Wide War
-
Invasion
into Gaza
-
Arafat
HQ Destroyed… In Pictures
-
Homeless in Minutes
-
War on Iraq.. World Reaction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
