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Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Singapore

1 rules found

Essential restrictionsEntryPlace-specific guidance · Singapore

Singapore: chewing gum, e-cigarettes and littering

Do

  • Clear chewing gum out of your luggage before arrival (except medical and dental gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority)
  • Put rubbish in the bin

Don’t

  • Carrying or using e-cigarettes; bringing them in for personal use is also illegal
  • Littering

E-cigarettes are completely illegal; police can fine you on the spot for littering.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Singapore travel advice

Site-specific notes 7

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Marina Bay Sands

  • Never bring chewing gum into the country (it's prohibited except dental or medicinal gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority)
  • e-cigarettes are completely illegal in Singapore, and bringing them in even for personal use is illegal
  • don't litter (heavy fines)
  • don't smoke in smoke-free areas
  • don't be disrespectful towards the national flag or anthem.

Merlion Park

  • Don't climb the statue
  • don't smoke or litter in the park
  • don't be loud and disturb others.

Sentosa

  • Don't sunbathe nude on beaches (illegal)
  • don't smoke in smoke-free areas
  • don't feed the island's wildlife (peacocks, monkeys).

Chinatown

  • Don't fire flashes at Buddha images in temples
  • don't touch Hindu deities
  • during Ramadan, out of respect, don't eat and drink conspicuously in front of Muslims by day.

Gardens by the Bay

  • No picking flowers, trampling the flower beds or entering non-open lawn areas under maintenance
  • no eating or drinking inside the conservatories and no drones (without permission)
  • no running on the aerial walkway, climbing the railings or leaning your body out over them

Hainanese chicken rice

  • Don't 'chope' a seat with a packet of tissues and disappear for ages
  • littering in Singapore brings a fine

Singapore hawker centres

  • Don't occupy seats without ordering
  • don't put crockery from non-halal food in the halal return area
  • don't leave trays on the table