Should we ban chewing gum?

axisus

........ until such time as they come up with a biodegradable version?

I was walking from my home town centre up towards the station at the weekend, and suddenly I was aware of the amount of chewing gum squashed flat underfoot. There was literally so much of it along the whole walk that there was no gap more that 8 inches between and two bits. Once I'd seen it, it looked rather disgusting. Likewise, I noticed that the entrance to the sports centre that I go to daily has tons of the stuff on the floor. I'm not sure why people feel the need to just gob it out anywhere, in the dim and distant past when I used to chew gum I would always drop it in a bin. I've heard before that in London it is VERY expensive to clear up, maybe we need a big tax levy on it for clean up expense. 

ICBM

It's banned in Singapore for exactly this reason.

I'm not sure we should ban it, but I would certainly be in favour of a heavy tax being put on it to pay for the cleaning.

Fretwired

ICBM said:

It's banned in Singapore for exactly this reason.

I'm not sure we should ban it, but I would certainly be in favour of a heavy tax being put on it to pay for the cleaning.

^^

This.

proggy

Yes, ban it.

rocktron

I understand that American confectionery manufacturers were working on a non-stick version, which defies the essence of the meaning of the word gum, but if it prevents the ghastly blobs being stuck everywhere, including under restaurant tables, then I'd welcome it.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/408793/nonstick-chewing-gum/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317777/The-non-stick-chewing-gum-promises-clean-streets.html

thecolourbox

No, that's like banning cars because some people can't drive them well enough

ronnyb

Just ban people who chew gum from public places. Sorted.

thecolourbox

ronnyb said:

Just ban people who chew gum from public places. Sorted.

But the people who chew gum (like myself) who don't throw it on the floor and dispose of it properly can't go out in public with gum because of the idiots. Now the introvert within me is thrilled at this thought, it's an excellent bottlejob reason not to go anywhere, but it seems harsh.

I feel my nervous habit of chewing gum is not as smelly as cigarette smokers and not as cringingly offensive as a fidget spinner, though happy to told I'm wrong if it's justified.

57Deluxe

only the bubble gum and fruit flavored chewing gums cos is a right PITA when you grab a pack of Wrigley's at the till or Kiosk in a rush and be expecting a mint rush and instead get a mouthful of fucking strawberry vanilla...

ronnyb

ronnyb said:

Just ban people who chew gum from public places. Sorted.

Not sure how you would enforce it though. How would the gum police / warden be able to tell if someone was chewing a midget gem or opal fruit or in fact gum. Would they be given powers to look in people's gobs.

menamestom

It's not too bad in Stockport, it's usually covered by blood and vomit.

crunchman

Take DNA samples of any gum not disposed of properly, and string up the culprits.

If stringing them up is deemed a bit un-PC then give them 50 hours of community service cleaning up the streets.

RandallFlagg

Here's what Charlton Heston had to say about this very issue: "Gum in the mouth of a bad person is a bad thing, gum in the mouth of a good person is no threat to anyone except bad people"

ronnyb

crunchman said:

Take DNA samples of any gum not disposed of properly, and string up the culprits.

If stringing them up is deemed a bit un-PC then give them 50 hours of community service cleaning up the streets.

Not a good idea. Spare a thought for the community payback supervisor (wink wink) who would have to put up with them for 7 hours a day and try and show them the error of their ways.

Ravenous

Gum doesn't make a mess - people do.

chillidoggy

Yes. 

octatonic

Make it carcinogenic.

usedtobe

ronnyb said:

ronnyb said:

Just ban people who chew gum from public places. Sorted.

Not sure how you would enforce it though. How would the gum police / warden be able to tell if someone was chewing a midget gem or opal fruit or in fact gum. Would they be given powers to look in people's gobs.

School teachers posted around the streets, looking out for culprits. When they spot one they could point and shout, “You boy. Are you chewing? Come here, boy!”

Sorted!

  

ICBM

octatonic said:

Make it carcinogenic.

Hasn't worked with cigarettes...

AlexC

Used bubble gum floating about in the air and getting stuck in your hair is far more annoying imo.

octatonic

ICBM said:

octatonic said:

Make it carcinogenic.

Hasn't worked with cigarettes...

You sunk my funny ship...