Once a staple of corner candy and drug stores and childhood mischief, candy sticks aka "candy cigarettes", and bubble gum cigars have carved out a curious, nostalgic, and sometimes controversial corner of confectionery history.
An important twist is that in the "early days," most wholesale candy companies, called "jobbers," sold candy and tobacco, as tobacco products weren't, sadly, known to be as harmful as it is today, making these candies a staple on most candy shelves,
McKeesport Candy Co. sold cigarettes for decades and stopped selling tobacco products in 2015, as it didn't align with our values as purveyors of fun, healthy products.
Still, we continued selling these products because they are whimsical and a genuine part of candy history, which is very important to us. We surely don't promote smoking, but we are all about having safe retro retro-inspired fun!
Among the most recognizable names keeping the tradition alive is Brooklyn-based World Confections, which leaves it to New Yorkers to come up with truly edgy candy. The company has been delighting sweet-toothed pranksters since 1952.
At first glance, a candy cigarette or gum cigar might rightfully raise a few eyebrows, but rest assured, these sugary novelties are all about fun, not encouraging any bad habits.
Over the years, World Confections has stressed that these treats are not intended to promote smoking, hence why they are called sticks and have no reference to a tobacco product.
Instead, they're a throwback to a different time when pretending to be a cool detective - think Columbo - or an old-time movie star like Marlon Brando or James Dean.
With their chalky texture and white paper-wrapped appearance, World's "King Size" Candy STICKS come in nostalgic boxes that mimic vintage brands, making them a collector's delight - check out eBay, as early versions sell for substantial amounts - and a quirky snack.
Meanwhile, their World's Bubble Gum is even more theatrical.
When you blow on each stick, a tiny puff of sugar "smoke" releases—that's childhood magic.
And let's not forget the grand finale of candy coolness:
El Bubble II Bubble Gum "Cigars", made by the bubble gum kings who brought us Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, better known as Concord Confections.
These chunky, chewy classics are brightly colored, deliciously fruity, and impossible not to smile at—because nothing says "party" quite like an individually wrapped blue, pink, or yellow cigar shaped treat made of bubble gum.
While times have changed and the idea of candy shaped like tobacco products has been a topic of debate, there's no denying the nostalgic charm and playful spirit behind World Confections' lineup.
For many, they're not about mimicking smoking; they're about reliving a simpler time.
They're also great for use in theatrical productions. For example, we recently sold them to a high school for use in "West Side Story" and to another school that was staging the play "Grease".
