The ad is more famous than the sweet itself for a lot of people: a man with a blocked nose delivering a nonsense monologue, saved by a Tune, closing with the sung "Tunes help you breathe again" - a jingle that outlived several product reformulations.
A cold-and-flu sweet from Mars
Tunes were launched by Mars in the 1960s, entering a crowded British market for medicated menthol lozenges alongside older names. The pitch was straightforward: a boiled sweet strong enough in menthol and eucalyptus to genuinely clear a blocked nose, not just mask a sore throat like a standard mint would.
What actually makes Tunes work
- Menthol — the main active flavouring, triggering the cooling sensation that tricks the nose and throat into feeling clearer, even though it doesn't reduce mucus.
- Eucalyptus oil — paired with menthol for extra decongestant punch and a distinctive medicinal aroma.
- Strength tiers — Tunes have long been sold in a standard and an Extra Strong version, letting buyers choose how intense a hit they want.
Flavours beyond the original
The original blackcurrant-menthol Tune is the best-remembered version, but over the decades Mars also produced Honey Lemon and Cherry variants, softening the medicinal edge slightly while keeping the same menthol-eucalyptus base. All of them sit in the same category as other British throat sweets - closer to medicine than to a treat, which is exactly how they're still bought and used today: from a bag in a coat pocket during cold season rather than a pick'n'mix scoop.
Frequently asked questions
What are Tunes sweets?
Tunes are a menthol and eucalyptus lozenge made by Mars, designed to help clear a blocked nose and soothe a sore throat, best known for their strong decongestant hit and 1980s "blocked nose" TV adverts.
When were Tunes launched?
Tunes were launched by Mars in the UK in the 1960s as a medicated confectionery aimed squarely at cold and flu symptoms, at a time when several confectionery makers were producing menthol lozenges for the same market.
What flavours do Tunes come in?
Tunes have been sold in several flavours over the years, including the original blackcurrant menthol, Honey Lemon, Cherry and an Extra Strong version with a higher menthol hit.