Lollipops are (to borrow an incredibly annoying, too often employed Americanism) awesome!
They enable sweets to last for longer, by giving the consumer a choice between eating an entire sweet in one go or getting one’s hands dirty.
I know of several instances of them being used by ex-smokers, when standing with existing smokers, to help resist the urge. And by non-smokers to have something to do in similar situations.
They taste better, due to sweets in general being slightly cloying in excess. A lollipop allows for occasional tasting (this is a different point then above, as the first point concerns pure value for money, this point regards the benefits regarding taste).
From my school days, I recall lollipops being far superior to regular sweets in terms of being able to eat them in class. Regular sweets are difficult to conceal.
And staying with the classroom advantages, the paper stick, when the sweet is finished, provides endless amusement, what with being able to unroll it and doodle on it, not to mention pellets.
And lastly, what’s not to like? It’s sugar on a stick.