AN SNP MSP has called for a levy to be introduced to help remove a "scourge" from Scottish town streets.
Kevin Stewart has written to the Chancellor asking that chewing gum manufacturers be charged to help councils with the cost of removing gum that has been discarded on to pavements.
Disposal of chewing gum in public spaces is a big problem for councils in the UK, with one estimate suggesting removing it from pavements costs over £7 million per year.
He said: "The scourge of discarded chewing gum on our streets is unsightly, disgusting and, quite frankly, its removal is syphoning money away from local authorities' budgets.
"I believe that a levy on chewing gum companies would be the correct way to deal with this problem as it means that those who are making profits from the sale of this item also contribute to the removal of it."
Stewart has also lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament, calling on it to recognise the value of the plan and to call on the UK Government to introduce a levy.
Methods already exist to discourage disposal of chewing gum on pavements, with the activity qualifying for a fixed penalty notice.
In some places, even more extreme measures have been adopted, including bans on chewing gum.
Singapore became the first country to ban it, with sales made illegal and all existing stocks confiscated in 1992.
Consumption is still allowed, but smugglers bringing it into the country can face fines of up to £5700 or imprisonment for up to two years.
Milton Keynes considered becoming the first city in the UK to ban gum in 2014, with proposals including fining anyone seen to be chewing gum on the spot, however the plans fizzled out.
A nightlife advocacy group in the city estimated that removing each piece of downtrodden gum costs around 10p.
