New research based on previously secret tobacco company documents show that the makers of candy cigarettes and tobacco companies conspired to make sure children enjoyed the sweets intended to promote smoking by children.

"This analysis -- the first of its kind -- provides evidence that tobacco companies recognised the connection between candy cigarettes in young children"s hands and real cigarettes in young smokers" hands," said Jonathan Klein, of the University of Rochester"s Children"s Hospital in New York.

"Additionally, the candy manufacturers concealed facts and tried to manipulate their own scientific research findings to protect this highly effective promotional tool," he added in a statement. . .

Their findings are published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal . . .

The researchers also uncovered evidence showing that the unfavourable findings of a study funded by two leading U.S. candy cigarette makers, World Candies and New England Confectionery, were suppressed.

In a revised version of the study presented to the U.S. Congress, which at the time was considering restrictions on candy cigarettes, all critical references and findings linking the candy to smoking were deleted.