Singapore is known for having very strict laws and a zero-tolerance policy, which is why the country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
But some of the things that are considered illegal are, well, kind of normal — especially to a visitor. Avoid getting fined or arrested by NOT doing the following ten things.
1. Chewing Gum
Yup, you read that right. It is against the law to buy, sell, or chew gum. In fact, according to the Singapore Customs website, it is prohibited to even bring it into the country unless it is "oral dental and medicated gum [approved] by the Health Sciences Authority."
2. Smoking & Tobacco Products
A lot of countries now heavily monitor where people are allowed to smoke, but in Singapore, it is prohibited in basically any public place. In other words, don't smoke unless you are locked in a room by yourself.
According to the Singapore Customs website, it is also prohibited to bring in chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, shisha, smokeless tobacco products, dissolvable tobacco, topical products like Nicotine patches, and basically anything else that could possibly contain nicotine or tobacco of any kind.
3. Nudity
Not only is it illegal be nude in public, you can be fined up to $2,000 and be put in jail for up to three months if you are nude in your own home and someone catches a glimpse of you through the window!
According to the government website, “Any person who appears nude in a public place; or in a private place and is exposed to public view, shall be guilty of an offense.” Make sure the curtains are closed before changing into your pajamas!
4. Spitting
If you are caught spitting in a public place expect a fine of about $1,000!
5. Littering
Dropping anything on the ground (even by mistake) can lead to fines of between $300 to $1,000 for first-time offenders. This includes birdseed and bread crumbs too, so don't even think about feeding the birds!
6. Vandalism
This is a serious offense in the country but doesn't just refer to the destruction of property or graffiti. Hanging posters advertising a concert, banners for a festival, or flags is also prohibited. Penalities include fines and even jail time in more extreme cases.
7. Drugs
This isn't a surprise, right? Drugs are illegal in most countries. But Singapore takes things up a notch.
The country's police are authorized to run a random drug test on both locals and visiting foreigners WHEREVER THEY WANT TO. If you are in the country and you test positive, even if you didn't take the drugs in Singapore, you're looking at some serious jail time.
8. Jaywalking
Unless you are in a marked crosswalk, DO NOT CROSS THE STREET.
Police are authorized to give you a $20 fine on the spot, a $1,000 fine that you will have to pay later, or up to three months in jail — it is the individual officer's decision which one you get. So ya, use a crosswalk.
9. Connecting To Someone Else's WiFi
Using a Wifi signal, even if it is an open signal, is considered hacking unless you have permission to use it. This is a serious offense that is punished with a $10,000 fine and even jail time.
10. Drinking or Eating On The Metro
Eating or drinking anything (even water) on the public transit system is prohibited and, you guessed it, will result in a fine if you are caught.
