"The Flintstones sold cigarettes to kids!" You've all probably heard someone somewhere present that as scandalous at one point or another. I myself find that statement to be a bit misleading. Remember, The Flintstones wasn't just for kids initially. That being said, there is one instance I can think of where this could definitely be the case. Behold, Flintstones candy cigarettes.
First released in 1993, The Flintstones have been a mainstay of the candy sticks line, joining the likes of the Marvel Superheroes, Popeye, and other cartoon icons. This initial batch featured "character cards" inside each box, as this advertisement so proudly exclaims.
Later on in the decade, the Flintstones sticks were offered in bags featuring some very interesting character combos. The first was a "comic mix" bag, where the characters appeared alongside Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, and several DC Superheroes. Makes sense, since all those characters are owned by WB. These ones also featured tattoos inside the boxes.
In the 2000s, The Flintstones were again offered in a "comic mix" set, but instead of the DC Superheroes, Popeye and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were included. Sounds almost like a future MeTV Toons lineup if you ask me!
To this day, Flintstones candy cigarettes are sold, albeit in a more generic bag alongside Scooby and Tom and Jerry. There are no DC heroes, turtles, or sailors here; it's a strictly Hanna-Barbera affair. You can find these in just about any dollar store in the country. And they come packed with 14% more candy! Depending on where you stand with candy sticks, that's either a gift or a punishment.
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