Tourists to Singapore dare not litter for fear of being fined

Upon landing at Changi Airport, we were immediately surprised by the countless warning and instruction signs along the streets and tourist attractions, quickly understanding why Singapore is often referred to as the "Fine City".

No-littering signs are ubiquitous across the island nation, and our tour guide frequently reminded us not to litter, as first-time offenders can face fines of up to S$1,000 (US$761). Repeat offenders could be fined up to S$2,000 and may even be assigned Corrective Work Orders as a penalty.

While visiting the Muslim Quarter, some people in the group, after wiping their faces with tissues, placed them in their backpacks and waited until they found a trash can to dispose of them properly.

One of my friends, a smoker, was also warned by the tour guide that smoking in public parks or restricted areas could result in a fine of up to S$1,000. The guide advised him to carefully check the signs along the streets to see if smoking was permitted in the area.

Thanks to these strict laws, Singapore has gained a reputation as one of the world's safest and cleanest cities.

In 2021, it was voted the world's cleanest and greatest city by the British magazine Time Out, which surveyed 27,000 city dwellers globally.

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