A 19-year-old student was fined 600 Singapore dollars after filming himself licking a straw and returning it to a public vending machine dispenser.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French student at Singapore's ESSEC Business School, was fined 600 Singapore dollars for a public nuisance offense. The student pleaded guilty to licking a drinking straw and placing it back into a dispenser at an orange juice vending machine. The incident, which occurred in March, was recorded and shared on Instagram, where it subsequently went viral.

Incident and Legal Consequences

The prank involved a straw from an iJooz vending machine, which prompted the operating company to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser as a precaution. While the direct cost of the replacement was 5 Singapore dollars, the case drew significant public attention. Prosecutors noted that while hygiene was compromised, there was no evidence that any member of the public had used the contaminated straw. Judge Kelly Ho rejected alternatives such as probation, opting for the fine instead. Maximilien faced a potential maximum penalty of 2,000 Singapore dollars and three months in prison for public nuisance. His defense counsel stated that the student is remorseful and understands the consequences of his actions.

Context of Singapore Regulations

Singapore is known for its strict enforcement of public order and hygiene standards. The city-state maintains rigorous regulations regarding public behavior, which have historically included bans on items like chewing gum to prevent littering. The student's future status in the country remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether authorities will revoke his student pass.