I remember the candy cigarettes. They probably weren't my favorite candy but I did get them occasionally. I bought one pack of cigarettes as a teenager, just to try out smoking. I didn't enjoy it that much and decided that 50 cents a pack was way too much money to pay so I've never smoked since.
It was not uncommon in the past for children to smoke; I've encountered a number of older folks who started smoking (or in some cases dipping or chewing) at quite young ages, 5, 6, or 7. Starting as a young teen, 13 or 14, was even more common.