Chewing gum levy set to hit streets

by Belinda Meharry

May 13, 2005

More money is set to be subtracted from people’s pockets with the introduction of a new tax.

The City of Perth Council is considering adding a five-cent levy onto the sale of chewing gum.

The additional five cents, per packet, is to aid with the apparent extra clean up required for chewing gum.

Independent surveys were conducted, and a report sent to the council stating that 18.5% of public litter consists of chewing gum.

Former Deputy Lord Mayor, Bert Tudori, believes that placing a complete ban on chewing gum will solve the problem.

Originally from Singapore, a spokesperson for Fermoso Perth Vegetarian Restaurant, anticipates a complete ban “works well in Singapore, but will not be successful in Perth (because there is a much higher) emphasis on human rights.”

She says the state of her store in regards to chewing gum “is not too bad” and believes cleaners do not have extra work because of it.

The biggest question from restaurateurs in Northbridge was where the money from the tax was going.

A spokesperson for Valentino Café, said, “the cleaners are in at 6 o’clock and work pretty hard…but I don’t know whether the money will be going to the workers or if it is just another excuse for the government to get more money.”

Bert Tudori states that he has spoken to restaurateurs, but it appears many still don’t understand the implications of this levy.