Can You Still Buy Chocolate and Candy Cigarettes?

Do you remember buying chocolate and candy cigarettes from your local sweet shop back in the 1960s and 70s?

The idea of cigarettes being sold to children in the form of sweets/candy will horrify many parents today, but this was a reality back in the 20th century.

I certainly remember them and sharing them out in the school playground. I found the combination of edible paper and sweet chocolate quite pleasant, although the amount of chocolate inside each one was very small compared to a mass-produced chocolate bar.

Chocolate cigarettes were mainly European imports including French brands such as Caravan. Jacquot in Troyes produced a line of chocolate cigarettes based on popular real cigarette brands such as Camel and Pall Mall. Dutch brands including Parade, Gorbatchow and Mustang.

There were also sweet cigarettes and white candy sticks with football and superhero themes.

In the U.S., Hershey's Tennis Chocolate Cigarettes were sold in tins.

It will come as no surprise to hear that they were banned in some countries in the 1980s and 90s, which, I guess, was inevitable. However, just as playing with a cap gun didn't turn me into a mass murderer, or eating candy lipstick didn't turn me into a transvestite, mimicking my parents smoking using a chocolate cigarette didn't turn me into a chain smoker - both of my parents were smokers and the smell put me off for life!

Nonetheless, the idea of a confectionary product that normalised smoking was always going to be controversial. I was, therefore, very surprised to discover that chocolate cigars and candy cigarettes are still being sold in the UK, although not in quite the same format as they were in the 20th century. 

Now, either the ban was lifted, or they were never banned in the first place. After a little investigation, it would appear that they have been banned in some countries, including Ireland, but not in the UK or New Zealand.

This box of 24 packets of mixed brand candy cigarettes is produced by World's King Size Candy and can be bought online at Etsy. Retro brands include Kings, Target, Lucky Light and Victory, and resemble real cigarette packets.

Phantom Sweet Cigarettes are still being sold online at Chuanwalla.com in New Zealand.

Batman and Superman Candy Sticks

Box of 5 Superman and Batman Candy Sticks

As a child of the 1970s, I certainly remember candy cigarettes with pictures of my favourite superheroes on the front of the carton, including Batman, Superman, Spiderman and Hulk. While you can no longer buy superhero themed cigarettes, you can buy these candy sticks which come with a free temporary tattoo.

They are also available in packs of 36 from The Great British Confectionary Company and include Minions packs.

Popeye Candy Sticks

Popeye cartoons were shown regulalry on British TV screens in the latter half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, Popeye Candy Sticks are available to but from Candy Funhouse in the U.S. and Canada from Candy Funhouse, but are not shipped to the United Kingdom.

Barratt Football Sweet Cigarettes (1975 to 1999)

Football themed confectionary and snacks were very popular in the 1970s and 80s, including these Football Sweet Cigarettes by Barratt, which included a free picture card. They were a tempting buy for young football fans. The empty carton above is from 1980. The product launched in 1975, but from 1981 onwards, the branding was changed to Football Candy Sticks until 1999, when they were discontinued.

Barratt also produced Cricket, Pop Stars and Space 1999 Sweet Cigarettes (1975) for a limited period. 

White Candy Sticks

These white candy sticks are cigarette-like, but the word cigarette is not mentioned in the description. Using the term "candy stick" is acceptable in many of the countries where there is a ban.

Choco Sticks

These Choco-Sticks have been described as "chocolate pencils". While they don't have a pointy end, they do look like those packs of unsharpened pencils that they had at primary school. I remember the headmaster would take great pleasure in running them through his industrial-sized pencil sharpener!

Friars Chocolate Cigars

Friar's Belgian chocolate cigars are handmade here in England and come in an elegant gift box made from responsibly sourced cardboard. This is a luxury product which would make a lovely gift idea. 

Aromatic Chocolate Truffle Cigar

This is a luxurious Italian chocolate cigar that comes in four flavours: Cocoa, Nougatine, Orange and Pistachio. They are made by Venchi (established in 1879) at their factory in Piedmont, Italy. This is obviously not designed for consuming on a regular basis, but would make a very nice gift for someone special in your life. 

Cigarillo Biscuits

Cigarillo biscuits have long been used for decoration and are often used to decorate cakes. But they are delicious on their own as a treat.

Chocolate Matches

Yes, you can also buy chocolate matches which are rather less controversial! Smokers often carried a box of matches, and England's Glory and Swan Vestas are two of the most popular brands in the UK, and still being produced today.