Tab goes back father than the 1970's. My Spinster Aunts were drinking TAB in the early 1960's and back then it had cyclamates where were banned before the 1970's. I hated the taste back then and actually love it now. I wish they hadn't discontinued it again.
Your complaint seems to be with permissive parents that don't watch what they give their children.
I have used Splenda many years and started including Stevia which gives a smoother taste than either one by itself.
I was diagnosed as diabetic at least seventeen years ago and right then I made myself a promise to never purchase anything with more than six grams of sugar per serving. For example I just bought Nabisco Social Tea biscuits that are labeled as 7 grams of sugar per a seven cookie serving. I can eat six cookies and be satisfied with no problem. & I drink diet cola with sucralose with no problem.
Do you take insulin with the cookies?