A new study out of the University of Rochester suggests that kids who play with candy cigarettes are predisposed to become smokers later in life.
Dr. Jonathan Klein's research data shows that 22 percent of current or former smokers had also regularly consumed
candy cigarettes, while only 14 percent of those who have never smoked
had eaten or played with candy cigarettes often or very often. In the good doctor's opinion, "The continued existence of these products helps promote smoking as a
culturally or socially acceptable activity."
My friend and I were amazed when we indulged our girls in popsicles from the ice-cream truck last week, and right there next to the bubble tape and licorice ropes, were packets of candy cigarettes. No one bought any, but we both reminsced about playing with them as kids (remember the little poof of "smoke" that comes out?), and are both - surprise! - former smokers. Is there a link? Very possibly. So why candy cigarettes still out there?
When even Wal-Mart won't sell them, you know they've got to be bad.
