FOREST HILLS – A Forest Hills middle school principal is banning two types of candy because students are believed to be inhaling the sugary treat as they pretend to smoke it – possibly causing maggots to feed off the students' noses.

Northern Hills Middle School Principal Nancy Susterka emailed parents on Friday, saying that sugar candies such as "Smarties" and "Pixy Stix" are now prohibited.

“In short, we have seen huge numbers of Smartie wrappers throughout the building and heard some rumblings about kids smoking it,” she wrote in a “Newsflash” email.

“This type of smoking does not require a match light however, it can cause some significant health issues. The candy is crushed and then re-rolled into a cigarette looking type object, they are inhaled which can cause infections, chronic coughing, choking and even maggots feeding off the sugar coated area in your nose (very extreme cases).

"While there is no brain damage or typical buzz, there is the potential of choking on the aspirated wrapper or large chunk of uncrushed candy. The bottom line is this isn't good and there certainly aren't any nutritious benefits from the consumption of this candy."

Susterka wrote that she has "several reputable reports" of the activities.

“While this isn't a drug, practicing the behavior of inhaling can be attributed to the use of other inappropriate substances and I want to keep our kids healthy and safe.”

The practice has concerned middle school administrators in other parts of the country in recent years. Schools in Colorado, Oregon and Alabama have reported problems.

E-mail Dave Murray: dmurray@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterDMurray