"Candy cigarettes" bring warning for St. Paul sweet shop owner

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

A St. Paul, Minn., sweet shop has been warned to stop selling "candy cigarettes" and other tobacco-themed treats, or risk a fine.

/ CBS Minnesota

(CBS/AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. - Owners of an old-school soda shop in St. Paul, Minn., are being warned to quit the habit of selling their popular novelty candy cigarettes.

City inspectors threatened a misdemeanor citation and $500 fine if Lynden's soda fountain is caught selling the fake smokes again. The Star Tribune reported Wednesday that the offering violated an ordinance barring the sale of candy smokes and cartoon character lighters.

A city spokesman says the warning came after inspectors received and looked into a complaint about the presence of the tobacco-themed products. The ordinance was enacted to discourage youngsters from picking up a real smoking habit.

According to CBS Minnesota, the news was a surprise to owner Tobi Lynden, who opened the shop last April. She says the candy cigarettes were best sellers and mostly purchased by adults.

"We're a tiny little soda fountain shop that specializes in vintage candies and vintage sodas," Lynden said. "We never had any issues with it. People were always happy to see them."

In addition to the candy cigarettes, the inspector removed the Big League Chew and the bubble gum cigars, CBS Minnesota reports.

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by robintoledo December 31, 2012 8:12 AM EST: I think the anti-smoking Nazis are going too far. Banning tobacco will never happen due to the big $$$$ associated with it in taxes. Just like booze, prohibition did not work.; Reply to this comment

by judymar14 December 29, 2012 12:41 PM EST

When will this hate against smoking stop? Not till smoking can result in a prison term. There is no way second hand smoke can be blamed for cancer, the toxins are breathed into the one smoking, plain smoke is breathed out. Saying second hand smoke causes cancer is a falacy. Food, plastic, microwaves, cell phones, too many cancer causing products to count.

No one who smokes should be so ignorant to smoke around those who don't. The few smokers left usually smoke outside. The mayor of NYC wants to pass a law than one can not smoke in their own house. He has already banned 16 oz soda being sold. What next? No eating fast foods, mowing your lawn, burning leaves, which is already under control. Once it is illegal for people to drive a car run on gas, who can't afford a new electric one people will realize we are living in more than a nanny state, but under dictatorship.

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by ttipbc December 30, 2012 3:11 AM EST: judymar14: Are you on the tobacco companies' payrolls? You are one ignorant a$$.


by ToolMangler1 December 30, 2012 6:16 PM EST: Big Brother is coming to take you 'away', Hee Hee, Ho Ho, Hah Haaahhhhh!!.


by bobbychuckles December 29, 2012 10:38 AM EST: America heading in the direction of a Euro 'nanny state'.
Marvy, ain't it?; Reply to this comment


by fasteddieNY December 29, 2012 9:04 AM EST: The city ordinance is violating your fourth and
eighth amendment rights.; Reply to this comment

by pak31 December 28, 2012 9:20 PM EST

I grew up in the 70's. Yes, a different time but I and many other kids loved candy cigarettes. I am now 45 years old and have never smoked. How is that possible??? (sarcasm intended)

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by cosmic-teapot December 29, 2012 12:55 AM EST: I had these cigarettes when I was a kid too, pak31. Never smoked a cigarette in my life and never will. Still, I don't know that I would like to see them available in every candy store, but as a novelty in an 'olde time' candy store - why not?

by daddycrc-2009 December 28, 2012 6:24 PM EST

Thats right, BLAME it on the candy to make kids smoke. Oh hell thats as bad as The worthless state of california blaming a free kids toy for kids being FAT.
Take some personal responsability. Parents an peer pressure NOT CANDY makes teens want to smoke. Hell its in 90% of the movies an Tv shows teens watch today. So Blame it on the TV an take the TV out of the house.

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by pak31 December 28, 2012 9:21 PM EST: I agree but t.v. and movies don't glorify it like they used to in the past. Most of the kids I know think smoking is gross.