Importing and selling chewing gum has been banned in the so-called nanny state since 1992, and anyone caught smuggling gum into the country faces a year in jail and a S$10,000 (US$5500) fine.

But a spokeswoman for Pharmacia said they have asked the government to rethink the blanket ban and allow sales of nicotine gum.

"We are seeking an exemption for nicotine gum on medical grounds," she told the Sunday Times.

Preliminary talks with health officials had been positive and the company has been asked to submit a formal request to the government, she said.

Another pharmaceutical firm, Novartis, said it was not seeking an exemption from the ban for its nicotine gum.

"We have tried speaking to the Ministry of Health, but they could not give us a firm answer," a spokesman said.

Chewing gum was outlawed in Singapore nine years ago because it was considered a public nuisance and difficult to clean up.

The last straw was when pranksters found that gum could be used to jam train doors and disrupt the service.

The law does not cover tourists who are allowed to bring in gum for their personal use.

Britain this year extended the sale of nicotine gum to supermarkets and other retail outlets on the premise that 70 percent of smokers wanted to give up the habit.