Smartie Snortin'

I suppose it's better than sniffing glue. Maybe.

It's taking place in lunchrooms, playgrounds and classrooms across the tri-state area. It may even be happening in your own home -- kids smoking candy.

It sounds bizarre -- even impossible. But kids grind up pieces of candy -- like "Smarties" – and they actually inhale the fine candy powder then blow it out like cigarette smoke.

"Before I was sent the YouTube videos, I had never heard of smoking and snorting Smarties," drug safety expert Peggy Sapp said.

Sapp was alarmed that kids are mimicking such dangerous and illegal habits, but said kids often do what's "in" to fit in.

"Who doesn't want to be cool?"

/raises hand

I detested 95% of the people I was forced to associate with while attending public school. The last thing I wanted was to be part of the "in crowd" -- not least because they were invariably doing some stupid shit like this. My crowd were nerds and athletes, not the "cool" sweater-stuffers and paint-huffers, (often one-and-the-same).

It is worth noting that since leaving the public school system some 23 years ago, the ratio of people I detest has increased to about 98% of the general population. That's called "refined taste."

Experts also worry that this trend could spark interest in real cigarettes or illegal drugs.

Candy - the Gateway Drug. Hit it with the ban stick.