🚫 What you cannot do in Singapore: chewing gum, litter, and alcohol after 10:30 pm

Singapore keeps order with heavy fines. Even a dropped cigarette butt can cost up to 2,000 Singapore dollars on a first offense (as of 09/2026, NEA).

The rules here apply to every tourist: smoking, eating on the MRT, alcohol, and behavior on the street. We have put together 12 points worth knowing before your trip.

Below you will find the fine amounts and simple ways to avoid them.

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What to know about the rules in Singapore

💡 In short:

Chewing gum is not sold and cannot be brought in: leave it at home.
On the MRT and buses you cannot eat or drink, even water.
Smoking is allowed only in designated areas, and alcohol on the street after 10:30 pm is prohibited.
Rules and fines: 09/2026, verified on the official NEA website.

Some rules come down to courtesy, others are backed by a specific amount. Below, the main points are gathered into one table.

Offense	Fine	Source
Littering	up to 2,000 SGD for a first offense	NEA cleanliness data
Smoking outside designated areas	up to 1,000 SGD	NEA smoking rules
Food and drinks on the MRT	up to 500 SGD	MRT rules
Alcohol on the street from 10:30 pm to 7:00 am	up to 1,000 SGD	Liquor Control Act
Jaywalking	50 SGD on the spot	traffic police operation

1. Chewing gum: sale banned since 1992

Selling and importing chewing gum in Singapore has been banned since 1992. Back then, gum got stuck in MRT doors and damaged elevator buttons, and the ban remains in effect to this day (NLB).

You won't find it in a supermarket. The only exception is therapeutic and nicotine gum: it's dispensed at pharmacies or by a doctor, while regular gum is not sold anywhere.

You can't bring regular gum into the country even for personal use. It's easier to leave it at home and avoid unnecessary questions.

The catch: on a long flight, it's harder to deal with ear pressure.

2. Smoking: designated areas only

In Singapore, you can smoke only in specially designated areas. Restaurants, shopping malls, parks, and bus stops are all no-smoking zones (according to NEA smoking restrictions).

The restrictions also apply on the streets: for example, you can't smoke on busy Orchard Road. The fine for a violation reaches 1,000 Singapore dollars (as of 09/2026, NEA smoking rules).

Look for Designated Smoking Area signs and yellow bins: they mark the permitted spots, and if you're unsure, ask cafe staff where the nearest smoking area is.

The catch: sometimes you have to walk an entire block to reach a designated area.

3. Littering: fines up to 2,000 Singapore dollars

A dropped cigarette butt, wrapper, or bottle comes at a high price. For a first offense, the fine goes up to 2,000 Singapore dollars, and for a third and subsequent offenses up to 10,000 (as of 09/2026, NEA littering fines).

Repeat offenders may be sentenced to corrective work. Cleaning public spaces takes up to 12 hours, and these cases are taken seriously here.

Special attention is given to litter thrown from high-rise windows. Cameras monitor such buildings, so the habit of shaking something off a balcony is the most expensive one here.

The catch: trash bins aren't on every corner, so sometimes you have to carry your trash to the end of the block.

4. Food and drinks on the MRT and buses

Eating and drinking are prohibited on the MRT, buses, and at stations. The ban also applies to water, so put your bottle in your bag before the turnstiles (MRT regulations).

The fine for food or drinks reaches 500 Singapore dollars (as of 09/2026, MRT rules). Inspectors and cameras are active, and arguing with an officer will only add to your costs.

The rule is explained simply: it keeps the cars clean and odor-free, though it surprises tourists most of all, since a trip across the city takes only a few minutes.

To plan your route and call a Grab, you need internet. Compare eSIM plans before your flight so you don't have to hunt for a SIM card on arrival.

The catch: in the heat, it's hard to wait for a train without a sip of water.

5. Respect for religion and culture

Singapore brings together Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. Every temple, mosque, and church has its own rules for guests.

It's best to cover your shoulders and knees, and shoes are removed at the entrance almost everywhere. Many temples have wraps at the entrance that you can use to cover up.

Don't photograph people without permission, and keep your voice down. If the rules are unclear, ask an attendant: they take guests' questions calmly here.

The catch: in the heat, covered clothing is uncomfortable, so you'll need to bring a change of clothes.

6. Public displays of affection

Holding hands is fine, but long kisses and hugs on the street attract attention. Public displays of affection are viewed more reservedly in Singapore than in Europe.

This isn't about a law with a fine, but about local customs. Strangers may make a comment, especially in conservative neighborhoods.

Keep your behavior calm, and there will be no reason for awkwardness. Rules differ by area, but politeness works everywhere.

The catch: familiar gestures like a pat on the shoulder can also cause discomfort.

7. Quiet and politeness in public places

Loud conversations, shouting, and aggression are seen in Singapore as a breach of order. Swearing and rude gestures can lead to a conversation with the police.

On the MRT and buses, people are expected to talk quietly and listen to music through headphones. This also applies to phone calls on the train.

Keep a neutral tone even in an argument. Calmness is valued here, and losing your temper comes at a high cost.

The catch: in a loud group, you'll get called out more than once.

8. Crossing the road: what jaywalking is

You can cross the road only at crosswalks and on a green signal. Jaywalking, especially within 50 meters of a zebra crossing, is considered a violation (according to a Straits Times report).

On the spot, an officer issues a fine of 50 Singapore dollars (as of 09/2026, traffic police data). If someone was injured because of the violation, the case goes to court.

Use underpasses and traffic lights: waiting for the green signal here is faster than explaining yourself to the police.

The catch: some crossings are button-activated, and you have to wait longer.

9. Water and the environment

Singapore conserves water and green spaces. Polluting waterways and leaving trash in parks is prohibited, and keeping things clean is part of the city's rules.

Tap water here is safe to drink. Saving water is also part of the local culture, and everyone supports it.

Put waste in trash bins, and where there are separate containers, sort it. This way you help keep order and avoid a fine.

The catch: parks have few trash bins, so sometimes you carry an empty bottle around for half an hour.

10. Drugs: zero tolerance

Singapore's drug laws are among the strictest in the world. Possession, use, and trafficking of even small amounts lead to long prison sentences (Misuse of Drugs Act 1973).

For smuggling large quantities, the law provides for the death penalty (according to CNB). Airport checks are therefore treated calmly and thoroughly here.

Check your medications separately. Bring strong prescription drugs in their original packaging and with a prescription or import permit.

Never agree to carry someone else's bag or package. You are responsible for the contents, and excuses won't help.

The catch: some painkillers that are common back home require a prescription or permit.

11. Toilet etiquette

Another point concerns hygiene. Flushing after using the toilet is always expected, and public restrooms here are kept clean.

Wash your hands and leave the place tidy. It's a small thing, but people judge visitors to the city by it.

In shopping malls and at train stations, restrooms are free and often inspected. If you see a line, look for another one at the same station.

The catch: during peak hours, station restrooms are full, so sometimes it's better to wait until you get to a shopping mall.

12. Public order and alcohol

Alcohol on the street in Singapore is restricted. From 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, drinking in public places is prohibited, and stores stop selling alcohol at 10:30 PM (as of 09/2026, alcohol law).

In certain areas, such as Geylang and Little India, the rules are stricter. The fine for a violation reaches 1,000 Singapore dollars (as of 09/2026, alcohol law).

The restriction does not apply in bars, restaurants, and licensed venues, so it is more relaxing to spend the evening indoors, with a glass at the table.

Clarke Quay waterfront in Singapore at night

The catch: after midnight, it is cheaper to stay at the bar than to look for an open store.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can I bring chewing gum into Singapore?

The sale and import of chewing gum have been banned since 1992, with an exception made only for therapeutic and nicotine gum (as of 09/2026, National Library of Singapore). Regular gum cannot be brought in even for personal use. It is easier to leave it at home and buy therapeutic gum at a pharmacy if you need it.

How much is the fine for littering?

For a discarded cigarette butt or bottle, the fine goes up to 2,000 Singapore dollars for a first offense, and up to 10,000 for a third and subsequent offenses (as of 09/2026, NEA fine summary).

Can I drink alcohol on the street?

No, from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM drinking in public places is prohibited. The fine reaches 1,000 Singapore dollars (as of 09/2026, alcohol sales rules).

Where can I smoke in Singapore?

Smoking is allowed only in designated areas, which are marked with signs and yellow bins. Smoking is prohibited in parks, shopping malls, restaurants, and at bus stops (as of 09/2026, NEA data on smoking areas).

What happens if I cross the road in the wrong place?

In Singapore, jaywalking is considered an offense, especially within 50 meters of a crossing. An officer issues a fine of 50 Singapore dollars on the spot (as of 09/2026, traffic police data).

Intersection in Singapore with pedestrians and cars

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In short: what to book

Singapore rewards those who pay attention. If you know about the chewing gum ban, littering fines, and the 10:30 PM rule, your trip will go smoothly and without extra costs.

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12 Rules of behavior in Singapore: where fines are issued and how much it costs