Leslie Massey
In Australia, there has been growing concern over the sale of lollies to children, with vape stores displaying colourful lolly brands in their windows to entice young consumers. While there is no explicit ban on lollies in Australia, the government has taken steps to address the issue. In 2008, Victorian Government schools banned the sale of chocolates and lollies in canteens and vending machines. Additionally, in 2022, the popular Starburst lolly brand was discontinued in Australia due to rising production costs and supply chain issues. While these actions fall short of a comprehensive ban, they reflect a broader effort to promote healthier alternatives and address predatory marketing practices targeting children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lollies banned in schools | Victoria |
| Year of ban | 2009 |
| Reason for ban | High sugar content, obesity in children |
| Import ban | No |
| Starburst lollies discontinued | Yes |
| Year | 2022 |
| Reason | Supply chain issues, rising costs |
| Life Savers lollies | Flavours: Pep-O-mint, Cinn-O-mon, Cl-O-ve |
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What You'll Learn
Starburst lollies discontinued in Australia
In Australia, lollies, chocolates, and other sugar-rich foods have been banned from Victorian government school canteens and vending machines since 2008. This decision was made to improve student health, as one-quarter of children were obese at the time.
Despite these measures, predatory' shops continue to sell lollies and vapes to children across Australia. In September 2023, the federal health minister criticized the proliferation of vape stores for "increasingly opening in a very deliberate way just down the road from schools, because they realize that is their target consumers".
Starburst lollies, in particular, have been discontinued in Australia since June 2022. The absence of Starburst products from supermarket shelves sparked concern among Australians, with TikTok creator Nariman Dein even uploading a video expressing her frustrations at being unable to find the lollies in Sydney. In response to the video, which garnered about 276,000 views, Mars Wrigley confirmed that the discontinuation of Starburst in Australia was due to supply chain difficulties and rising cost pressures, rather than a conspiracy.
Starburst lollies were a popular treat in Australia, known for their iconic mix of strawberry, cherry, orange, and lemon flavors, as well as their more unique offerings like Starburst AllPink Gummies and Starburst Swirlers Chewy Sticks. The decision to discontinue the brand in Australia has left a bitter taste in the mouths of lolly lovers, who will now have to find alternative treats to satisfy their sweet tooth.
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Victorian government schools ban lollies
In 2008, Victorian government schools banned the sale of lollies and chocolates in their canteens and vending machines. The decision was made to improve student health, with almost a quarter of children aged 2 to 16 years old being overweight or obese at the time. The ban aimed to reduce the consumption of sugar-rich foods, such as lollies, that offer little to no nutritional value and can lead to health issues.
The Education Minister, Bronwyn Pike, emphasised the importance of providing healthy alternatives, such as fruit, salads, and fresh wraps, to ensure students make valuable food choices. This decision was supported by research showing that around 37% of a child's total energy intake is consumed at school. To facilitate the implementation of the ban, all Victorian government schools were provided with a comprehensive checklist, developed in collaboration with the Victorian division of Nutrition Australia.
The checklist identified foods high in sugar and low in nutritional value, guiding schools in offering healthier options. The ban on lollies and chocolates in Victorian government schools built upon a previous successful ban on high-sugar drinks, which saw over 98% compliance among schools. The combined efforts to restrict access to unhealthy foods and promote nutritious alternatives reflected a broader strategy to address health concerns associated with high sugar consumption.
While the ban specifically targeted the sale of lollies and chocolates on school premises, it is part of a wider conversation about the role of sugar in the Australian diet and the measures needed to improve public health. It also highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing individual freedoms and public health interests, particularly when it comes to regulating the food industry and influencing consumer choices.
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Vape stores target children
In Australia, vape stores have been criticised for deliberately opening near schools to target children. These shops often display colourful lollies in their windows, while inside, vapes are readily available. The federal health minister, Mark Butler, has described these stores as "predatory", opening in a very deliberate way near schools as they realise that their target consumers are children.
These dual vape-lolly shops are proliferating despite Mark Butler announcing reforms to ban the import and sale of vape products, with only licensed pharmacists permitted to sell them to people with a prescription. However, there is currently no set date for this import ban.
The normalisation of vaping among children is a growing concern. Data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) shows that more than 1.6 million middle and high school students in the US used e-cigarettes in 2024, making it the most common form of tobacco use among youth. The frequency of e-cigarette use by teens is especially alarming, with over 40% of high school students who vape doing so frequently (20 or more of the past 30 days), and nearly 30% vaping daily.
Vape products are often marketed to teens with flashy technology and fruity flavours, intentionally designed to attract and addict children. These products can be dangerous, with some containing heavy metals and even the deadly substance, fentanyl. Despite the known risks, the proliferation of these products continues, with hundreds of unauthorised vape products openly sold in stores.
To combat this issue, police in the UK are urging anyone who sees shops selling vapes to children to report them to trading standards.
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No import ban on lollies
While there is no import ban on lollies in Australia, there have been some instances of schools banning chocolates and lollies to improve student health. In 2008, Victorian Government schools prohibited the sale of chocolates and lollies in their canteens and vending machines. This decision was made to address the issue of childhood obesity, with a quarter of children in Australia being obese at the time.
In recent years, there has been a rise in "predatory" shops selling lollies and vapes near schools across Australia. These shops often display colourful international lolly brands in their windows, attracting children. However, there is currently no import ban on lollies in Australia.
The Australian government has taken steps to address the issue of unhealthy food and improve children's health. In 2007, an audit found that 98% of schools complied with a ban on high-sugar drinks. Additionally, Australia has some of the toughest anti-smoking laws globally, including a crackdown on the tobacco industry to curb teenage vaping and smoking rates.
While there is no import ban on lollies, some lolly brands have exited the Australian market due to supply chain issues and rising production costs. For example, Starburst lollies were discontinued in Australia in June 2022 due to these challenges.
Australia has a diverse range of lollies, including classic chews, old-school favourites, and unique flavours. The country has a strong lolly culture, with some brands, such as Allen's Freckle chocolates, becoming household names. Overall, while there is no import ban on lollies in Australia, there is a focus on improving children's health and addressing the proliferation of unhealthy food options near schools.
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Lollies sold alongside tobacco products
In Australia, lollies and vapes have been sold to children, with no date set for an import ban. The federal health minister, Mark Butler, has announced that reforms will be introduced to ban the import of nicotine and non-nicotine vapes and vape products, with only licensed pharmacists permitted to sell them to people with a prescription. Despite this, vape stores continue to open near schools, and some shops sell lollies and vapes together.
In 2015, the Cancer Council warned that flavoured e-cigarettes were being sold next to cash registers alongside lollies aimed at children. The health group audited 1,519 retailers in NSW and found that four out of five shops that sold e-cigarettes placed them near the counter next to lollies and chocolates, targeting children. The audit prompted the Cancer Council to call on the State Government to implement comprehensive laws similar to cigarette controls to crack down on the devices.
The council's tobacco control unit manager, Scott Walsberger, expressed concern that the devices might delay people from quitting smoking. He also worried that the use of confectionery and fruit flavours in the liquid nicotine of e-cigarettes was an attempt to lure young people to smoke. He stated that the lack of regulation around e-cigarettes threatened to undo the progress made in tobacco control.
Some people have speculated that the sale of lollies and snacks in vape and tobacco shops may be a front for money laundering or a way to write off illegal tobacco profits. Others have suggested that it attracts teens and gives them a pretext for entering such shops.
While there are no specific requirements in New South Wales or Victoria to inform local councils of the intent to sell tobacco or smoking-related products, the proliferation of these shops near schools and their appeal to young people remain a cause for concern.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia has not banned lollies. However, in 2022, Starburst lollies were discontinued in Australia due to rising production costs and supply chain issues.
"Lollies" is a term used in Australia to refer to sweets or candy.
While there is no ban on lollies in Australia, there have been concerns about the sale of lollies to children. In 2008, Victorian Government schools banned the sale of chocolates and lollies in school canteens and vending machines.
Lollies are considered unhealthy due to their high sugar content and low nutritional value. There are worries that easy access to lollies may contribute to health issues, especially in children.
There are currently no widespread discussions or efforts to implement a ban on lollies in Australia. However, there have been instances where health advocates and parents have raised concerns about the predatory marketing of lolly stores near schools, targeting children.
