I can't imagine someone eating those salty Swedish licorice 'fish' swapping over to the red tubular ones. Not putting those down. Chacun a son gout and all that, but they're very different.

Personally, when I get an urge for licorice I put fennel in my salad (or just eat it straight-up) or make a tea with anise. I haven't seen anything indicating those might be harmful...