Candy cigarettes are a candy introduced in the late 19th century[1] made out of chalky sugar, bubblegum or chocolate, wrapped in paper and packaged and branded so as to resemble cigarettes. Some products contain powdered sugar hidden in the wrapper, allowing the user to blow into the cigarette and produce a cloud of sugar that imitates smoke, which comes out of the other end.
Candy cigarettes' existence on the market has long been controversial because research has shown that they prime children to take up smoking real (tobacco) cigarettes.[2][3] Candy cigarettes can also serve as a way to market cigarettes to children, as many candy cigarettes have branding nearly identical to cigarette brands.[4] Because of this, the selling of candy cigarettes has been banned in several countries, though they continue to be manufactured and consumed in many parts of the world. However, many manufacturers now describe their products as candy sticks, bubble gum, or simply candy.[5]
Promotion of smoking
Tobacco companies and candy cigarette manufacturers have historically cooperated to make candy cigarettes. Tobacco companies have allowed candy cigarette companies to use their branding;[4]Brown & Williamson has gone as far as to send copies of its labels to candy cigarette companies.[6] After the 1964 Surgeon General's report on smoking and health criticized candy cigarettes for "trying to lure youngsters into the smoking habit", tobacco companies began to distance themselves from candy cigarettes, although trademark infringement lawsuits against candy cigarette manufacturers have been rare.[4]
A 1990 study found that sixth graders who ate candy cigarettes were twice as likely to smoke cigarettes as those who did not eat candy cigarettes.[7] A 2007 study surveyed 25,887 adults and found that "candy cigarette consumption was reported by 88% of both current and former smokers and 78% of never smokers", a statistically significant difference that the authors suggested indicates a connection between candy cigarette consumption as a child and smoking as an adult.[8][9]
In the United States, it was reported erroneously in 2010 that the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act[10] bans candy cigarettes.[11] However, the law bans any form of added flavoring in tobacco cigarettes other than menthol.[12] It does not regulate the candy industry. Popeye Cigarettes marketed using the Popeye character were sold for a while and had red tips (to look like a lit cigarette) before being renamed candy sticks and being manufactured without the red tip. Most candy cigarettes continue to be manufactured in the United States, with the largest maker of candy cigarettes, World Confections, Inc., based in New Jersey.[6]
↑"Ley 28/2005, de 26 de diciembre, de medidas sanitarias frente al tabaquismo y reguladora de la venta, el suministro, el consumo y la publicidad de los productos del tabaco"[Act 28/2005, dated 26th December, on health measures against smoking and regulating the sale, supply, consumption, and advertising of tobacco products]. Article 3.2. Boletín Oficial del Estado (309): 42241–42250. 27 December 2005. ISSN0212-033X. BOE-A-2005-21261. Se prohíbe vender o entregar a personas menores de dieciocho años productos del tabaco, así como cualquier otro producto que le imite e induzca a fumar. En particular, se prohíbe la venta de dulces, refrigerios, juguetes y otros objetos que tengan forma de productos del tabaco y puedan resultar atractivos para los menores.[The sale or supply of tobacco products to persons under eighteen years of age is prohibited, as is the sale or supply of any other product that imitates tobacco and encourages smoking. In particular, the sale of sweets, snacks, toys, and other objects that resemble tobacco products and may be appealing to minors is prohibited.]
