English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver recently expressed his wish to ban chewing gum, a statement that has struck a chord with Singaporeans. In an interview clip uploaded by British publication The Telegraph on Saturday, August 5th, 2026, Oliver said, "If I could ban one thing, it would be chewing gum," citing the damage gum causes to public spaces.

Oliver remarked, "I was walking up the street the other day and the whole street was ruined with a patchwork quilt of chewing gum. So I wouldn’t ban a flavour combination, but I would ban chewing gum, unless you can jet-wash it off."

The video quickly drew comments referencing Singapore, where the sale and import of chewing gum is banned. Actor Tom Rooke wrote, "Singapore [has banned chewing gum], it’s glorious. You could eat your dinner from the pavement."

A Singaporean user also highlighted the benefits of the ban, recalling how public spaces were often littered with gum stuck behind bus seats, on lift buttons, and other places before the ban was implemented.

The discussion reflects Singaporeans’ appreciation for the cleanliness achieved through their country’s gum ban, aligning with Oliver’s concerns about gum litter in public areas.

Sources