Be cool like the adults!
Because of course big tobacco would do that. They were often sold in packs looking just like real cigarette packs, except with the word "Candy" on it. Some appeared to be fictional brands, and others were sold under the branding of real cigarette companies.
A 1990 study found that sixth graders who ate candy cigarettes were twice as likely to smoke cigarettes as those who did not eat candy cigarettes.
And,
Some products contain powdered sugar hidden in the wrapper, allowing the user to blow into the cigarette and produce a cloud of sugar that imitates smoke, which comes out of the other end.
They are still available in the US and Canada, although with some restrictions.
There was still an old-style candy shop on the town i grew up in. 5 cent bazooka bubblegums, bubblegum cigars, candy cigarettes, the works.
The candy cigs were unbranded and super basic by that time (90s), and they replaced the powdered sugar with flour, but I certainly have memories of that..