IT is said that too much candy is bad for you. They are especially bad when they come in the shape of cigarettes that are sold to children.
Just a few weeks ago, the Eye came across these very candies being sold in Kuching shops. Until then, the Eye was unaware that such candy existed.
The Eye immediately whipped out a camera and took a photograph of the candies, thinking the photo would make a great conversation and debate piece.
It turns out the Eye was naive, as friends later explained that candies in the shape of cigarettes have existed since they were children, some 35 to 50 years ago.
It seems that these made in China candies are making a comeback. They are packaged in such a way that they closely resemble actual cigarette brands. The Eye was told the cigarette candies also come in the form of chewing gum.
Even the branding is done in such a way that the brand names sound almost similar to actual cigarettes.
The Eye decided to do some digging and found that cigarette candies were already in the market worldwide as early as the 1970s and there has been much controversy surrounding their sales.
And Eye thought it was just an Asian thing where these candies are manufactured in China and distributed for sale in the region.
The key issue that surrounds the cigarette candy controversy is that many believe candy in such a form actually encourages children to smoke later in life.
As it is now, children are told that they cannot smoke because it is bad for them and because they are too young.
Of course, children being children love to mimic adults, including when it comes to smoking. Cigarette candies allow children to feel that they are ‘cool’ because they have a ‘cigarette’ between their fingers.
Several European and Islamic countries have banned such candies. The Eye is not sure if these candies are banned here in Malaysia.
As the photo shows, despite being aware of the psychological effects that these candies may have on the young minds of children, there are irresponsible manufacturers and shop owners who continue to produce and sell them.
The Eye leaves you this weekend with the following question to ponder upon. Who should be responsible for keeping children from buying these cigarette candies and maybe falling into the habit of smoking later in life?