75% of consumers would support a ban on chewing gum made out of plastic according to a recent survey of 2,000 Britons commissioned by plastic-free gum brand Nuud.
The research conducted by Yonder found 74% of respondents were “concerned” that chewing gum contains the same plastics found in several everyday items.
An ingredient in chewing gum is “gum base“, which is made out of plastic. The survey revealed that 84% of consumers demanded more transparency from gum brands and want clear labelling of the plastic content on packaging.
Nuud founder Keir Carnie, commented: “Scientific evidence is emerging all the time revealing the disgusting truth that plastic is getting into our bloodstreams and vital organs. Plastic in our bodies is undeniably a major threat to human health.
“We’ve begun to make strides to cut out needless plastic, take the ban on straws for example, now we want consumers to get behind our fight against plastic gum by chewing plants not plastic.”
Government cannot continue to allow this toxic content to be listed on packs as a gum base.
According to Nuud, Britons chew more than five billion pieces of plastic gum every year. When surveyed, 68% said they worried about the effect it is having on the environment.
69% of those surveyed also said big chewing gum brands should pick up the cost of clearing up chewing gum waste.
Commenting on the survey, Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet, said: “Government cannot continue to allow this toxic content to be listed on packs as a gum base – instead the public needs to be shown the risks loud and clear.
“The tobacco industry spent decades hiding and discrediting studies showing the link between lung cancer and smoking before finally after nearly 30 years consumers wised up. Let’s not make the same mistake with plastic gum.”
