Smoking in China: Rules, Where to Buy Cigarettes & What to Know

Quick facts:

• China has 300+ million smokers (world's largest)
• Indoor smoking is banned in most cities
• Cigarettes are very cheap (¥10-50 per pack)
• Vaping/e-cigarettes are legal but regulated

Here's everything you need to know about smoking in China.

Quick Answer (Traveler Edition)

• Buying cigarettes is easy: convenience stores and tobacco shops (烟酒店) sell them, usually behind the counter.
• Where you can smoke depends on the city: big cities are stricter indoors; smaller cities can be… “interpretive.”
• Look for designated areas: signs like 吸烟区 (smoking area) and 吸烟室 (smoking room).
• Customs limit matters: stay within the duty‑free allowance unless you enjoy awkward conversations at the red channel.
• Vapes are legal but regulated: rules and product availability change. Treat it like tobacco and don’t vape where smoking is banned.

If you need help finding a tobacco shop or designated smoking room fast, use a China-native map app (Baidu/Amap). Start here: /guide/03-daily-survival/navigation.

One more practical tip: when you find a shop, save it in your map app. In unfamiliar neighborhoods, “that one tobacco shop near the corner” is never as easy to re-find as you think.

Smoking Culture in China

China produces and consumes more cigarettes than any other country. Smoking culture is deeply embedded, especially among:

• Men (52% smoke vs 3% of women)
• Business settings (offering cigarettes is common courtesy)
• Older generation (less stigma compared to the West)

Reality on the ground:

• You'll see plenty of people smoking
• Anti-smoking campaigns are increasing
• Young people smoke less than parents' generation
• Smoking areas exist but enforcement varies

Smoking Etiquette in China (How Not to Be That Tourist)

You don’t need to become a local smoker to be polite—just follow a few simple rules that keep you out of trouble and out of people’s faces.

Offering cigarettes is a thing (especially among men)

In some social or business contexts, offering a cigarette can be a friendly gesture. As a traveler, you’re not required to participate, but it helps to recognize what’s happening.

If someone offers you one and you don’t smoke:

• Smile and wave your hand lightly (the universal “no thanks”)
• Say “不用了，谢谢” (bú yòng le, xièxie) — “No need, thanks”

If you do smoke and want to accept politely:

• Take one with your right hand (or both hands if you want to be extra polite)
• Say “谢谢” (xièxie) — “Thanks”

Don’t litter (but also: don’t go on a heroic mission)

In big cities, people care more now. Use an ashtray if there is one. If not, carry a tiny pocket ashtray or at least don’t flick butts into greenery.

Ask before smoking near others

Hong Kong is generally more sensitive than many mainland cities, and major mainland cities are moving in the same direction.

If you’re unsure, ask:

• “这里可以吸烟吗？” (zhèli kěyǐ xīyān ma?) — “Can I smoke here?”

Don’t smoke while walking through dense crowds

This sounds obvious, but crowds + cigarette = accidental burns and angry looks. Step aside, smoke, then continue.

Where You Can (and Can't) Smoke

Indoor Smoking Bans

Major cities have indoor smoking bans:

Beijing: Full indoor ban since 2015

• All indoor public places
• Workplaces
• Public transport

Shanghai: Full indoor ban since 2017

• Same as Beijing
• Stricter enforcement

Shenzhen: Strictest in China

• Indoor ban
• Some outdoor areas too

Other cities: Varies

• Most have some restrictions
• Enforcement looser outside major cities

City-by-City Reality Check (What Travelers Notice)

This isn’t a legal database (China loves rules that evolve), but it’s a practical expectation-setting guide:

City	Indoor ban “on paper”	What you’ll see in real life
Beijing	Very strict	Restaurants and malls usually enforce; expect “no smoking” signs to mean it
Shanghai	Strict	Strong enforcement in malls/metro; some older bars may push boundaries
Shenzhen	Often the strictest	More signage, more enforcement, less tolerance in public venues
Guangzhou	Generally strict	Newer venues enforce; some older eateries can be inconsistent
Smaller cities	Varies widely	The rule exists, but enforcement can be uneven

Translation tip: “No smoking” is 禁止吸烟 or 严禁吸烟. If you see those, don’t try to negotiate with a sign. You will lose.

Where You CAN Smoke

Outdoors (mostly fine):

• Streets and sidewalks ✅
• Parks (usually) ✅
• Outdoor seating areas (often) ✅
• Designated smoking areas ✅

Where NOT to smoke:

• Restaurants (inside) ❌
• Shopping malls ❌
• Hotels (most are non-smoking) ❌
• Airports (indoor) ❌
• Train stations (indoor) ❌
• Subway ❌
• Hospitals ❌
• Schools ❌

Smoking Areas

Look for these signs:

• 吸烟区 (xī yān qū) - Smoking area
• 吸烟室 (xī yān shì) - Smoking room

Where you’ll commonly find them:

• Airports: enclosed smoking rooms (often glass boxes)
• Large malls: sometimes have a smoking room tucked near restrooms or service corridors
• Office towers: designated outdoor corners near entrances (watch for security guards pointing you like a human GPS)
• Train stations: usually outdoor areas only (and not always convenient)

If you can’t find a sign, assume indoor smoking is not allowed and go outside.

Airports:

• All have designated smoking rooms
• Usually before security and after
• Marked clearly

Train stations:

• Outdoor designated areas
• Not all have them

Hotels:

• Some have smoking rooms (request when booking)
• Smoking floors in larger hotels
• Many are fully non-smoking now

Hotel reality check:

• “Non-smoking hotel” in China can still mean someone smoked there last week. If you’re sensitive, ask for a non-smoking floor and a room that hasn’t been smoked in.
• If you book a smoking room, smoke only where allowed (some hotels still prohibit smoking in hallways and elevators—yes, people try).
• Some hotels charge cleaning fees for smoking in a non-smoking room. Don’t argue. Just don’t do it.

Buying Cigarettes in China

Where to Buy

Convenience stores (便利店):

• 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
• 全家 (FamilyMart)
• 罗森 (Lawson)
• Open late/24hr
• Usually behind counter, ask staff

Supermarkets:

• Checkout counter
• Sometimes tobacco counter

Tobacco shops (烟店/烟酒店):

• Specialized shops
• Wider selection
• Can find specific brands

Hotels:

• Many hotel shops sell cigarettes
• Higher markup

What the Buying Process Looks Like

In many stores, cigarettes are not on open shelves. They’ll be:

• behind the cashier
• in a glass cabinet
• or in a “wall of cartons” display

So the buying flow is usually:

1. Tell the cashier the brand (or point at the display)
2. They grab a pack/carton
3. You pay (WeChat Pay/Alipay are common; cash is usually fine too)

Pro tip: If you’re in a convenience store and you don’t see cigarettes, don’t assume they don’t sell them. Ask—most do.

Lighters, Matches, and the “I Forgot Everything” Scenario

• Convenience stores sell cheap lighters. Say 打火机 (dǎhuǒjī) for lighter.
• Matches exist but are less common in big cities.
• Hotels sometimes have “no lighter” policies (fire safety), so don’t be surprised if you can’t borrow one.

How to Ask

Point at what you want, or use these phrases:

English	Chinese	Pinyin
Cigarettes	香烟	xiāng yān
One pack	一包	yì bāo
This one	这个	zhè ge
How much?	多少钱？	duōshao qián?

Two power moves that work even if you speak zero Chinese:

1. Show a photo of the brand/pack you want.
2. Point at the shelf and say “这个，多少钱？” (zhè ge, duōshao qián?)

How to Find a Tobacco Shop Fast (Map Search Terms)

In Baidu Maps / Amap, search these:

• 烟酒店 (most common)
• 烟草专卖店 (tobacco specialty store)
• 便利店 (convenience store)

If you’re in a hurry (late night, airport zone, train station), search 便利店 first. Convenience stores are more predictable than “mystery tobacco shops behind a noodle place.”

Popular Chinese Cigarette Brands

Premium (¥30-100+):

• 中华 (Zhonghua) - Most prestigious
• 芙蓉王 (Furong Wang)
• 黄鹤楼 (Huanghelou)
• 苏烟 (Suyan)

Mid-range (¥15-30):

• 玉溪 (Yuxi)
• 云烟 (Yunyan)
• 南京 (Nanjing)
• 利群 (Liqun)

Budget (¥10-15):

• 红塔山 (Hongtashan)
• 红双喜 (Shuangxi)
• 白沙 (Baisha)

Foreign Brands in China

Available but less common:

• Marlboro (万宝路)
• 555
• Kent
• Davidoff

Note: These are often manufactured in China under license—taste may differ from home country version.

Cigarette Prices

Much cheaper than Western countries:

Type	Price Range
Cheap local	¥10-15 ($1.50-2)
Mid-range	¥15-30 ($2-4)
Premium Chinese	¥30-100+ ($4-15+)
Imported brands	¥25-50 ($3.50-7)

Practical pricing notes:

• Prices are usually fixed (this isn’t a bargaining situation).
• Airport/duty-free can be higher, but sometimes has more international brands.
• If someone tries to sell you “imported” cartons on the street, politely decline. Your lungs deserve at least legitimate paperwork.

Counterfeits: The Tourist Trap Nobody Wants

Counterfeit cigarettes exist. The risk is higher when you buy from street sellers or random kiosks with no clear storefront.

To reduce risk:

• Stick to convenience stores and proper tobacco shops (烟酒店)
• Avoid “too cheap to be real” cartons
• If you’re gifting cigarettes, buy from a reputable shop (it’s a face-saving move)

Bringing Cigarettes into China

Customs Allowance

Duty-free limit:

• 400 cigarettes (2 cartons), OR
• 100 cigars, OR
• 500g loose tobacco

If you bring more:

• Must declare
• Pay duty (approximately 50% of value)
• Excessive amounts may be confiscated

Reality Check

Customs rarely checks small overages, but large quantities (cases of cigarettes) will be questioned.

Recommendation: Stay within limits. Cigarettes are cheap in China anyway.

Vaping/E-Cigarettes in China

Legal Status

E-cigarettes are legal in China. In fact, most e-cigarettes worldwide are made in China (Shenzhen is the manufacturing hub).

Recent regulations (2022+):

• E‑cigarettes are treated more like regulated tobacco products
• Product standards and sales rules tightened (availability can change by city/store)
• Many places apply the same indoor restrictions as cigarettes
• Age restrictions exist (expect ID checks in formal shops)

Where to Buy Vape Products

Vape shops (still exist but limited):

• 电子烟 (diàn zǐ yān) - e-cigarette
• Many in Shenzhen especially

What's available:

• Devices (China-made brands)
• Pods/liquids (availability varies)
• More limited selection than some travelers expect

Reality check: China is a manufacturing powerhouse for vapes, but the consumer market is regulated and shifts over time. If you’re picky about flavors or brands, bring your usual setup (in personal quantities) and treat local purchases as backup supplies.

Bringing Your Vape to China

Generally OK:

• Bring your device
• Bring personal supply of e-liquid
• Don't bring commercial quantities

On flights:

• Device and batteries: carry-on only
• E-liquid: follow liquid rules (100ml containers, 1L bag)

Note: Vape rules and what’s sold can change. For travel, keep liquids in original containers, carry personal quantities, and follow airline battery rules. If you’re unsure, don’t use it indoors and don’t bring anything that looks like “commercial stock.”

Heat-Not-Burn Devices (IQOS-style)

Heat-not-burn products can be confusing for travelers: availability and enforcement vary. If you carry one, treat it like a tobacco product, don’t use it indoors where smoking is banned, and avoid bringing large quantities of consumables.

Fines and Enforcement

Smoking Fine Structure

Beijing:

• Individual: ¥50-200 warning/fine
• Venue owner: ¥2,000-10,000

Shanghai:

• Individual: ¥50-200
• Venue owner: ¥10,000-30,000

In practice:

• Enforcement inconsistent
• Warnings more common than fines
• Tourist areas may be stricter
• Local places more relaxed

What Happens If Caught

Usually:

1. Staff asks you to put it out
2. Points to no-smoking sign
3. You comply, no problem

Rarely:

• Actual fine issued

Smoking on Transportation

Trains

High-speed trains (高铁):

• Absolutely no smoking ❌
• No smoking areas
• Smoke detectors in bathrooms
• Fine: ¥500-2000
• May be banned from trains for 180 days

Regular trains (普通火车):

• Some have smoking sections between cars
• Being phased out
• Still strict in non-smoking areas

Planes

No smoking on any Chinese flights. Standard worldwide rule.

Buses

No smoking on long-distance buses. Stops every 2-3 hours where you can smoke.

Subway

No smoking anywhere in subway systems.

Quick Answers

Can I smoke on the street?

Yes, generally acceptable on streets and sidewalks.

Will I see no-smoking signs?

Yes: 禁止吸烟 (jìn zhǐ xī yān) or 🚭

Can I buy cigarettes at the airport?

Yes, duty-free departure shops have them. Also available at airport convenience stores.

Are Chinese cigarettes harsh?

Some, yes. Try mid-range brands for smoother options.

Can I give cigarettes as gifts?

Yes, high-end cigarettes (Zhonghua especially) are prestigious gifts. Business culture.

Can I smoke in a hotel room?

Only if the hotel explicitly allows it (smoking room or smoking floor). Many hotels are non-smoking now, and some charge cleaning fees if you smoke in a non-smoking room.

How do I find a smoking room quickly?

Look for 吸烟区 (smoking area) / 吸烟室 (smoking room), or search 吸烟区 in a map app inside airports and malls. When in doubt: go outside.

Do I need ID to buy cigarettes or vape products?

For cigarettes, ID checks are uncommon in many places, but rules exist and enforcement varies. For vape shops, expect stricter checks in formal stores.

Can I smoke on trains?

On high-speed trains: no. On some older regular trains: sometimes between cars, but rules are tightening. Assume “no” unless you see an obvious designated area.

Will anyone bum a cigarette?

Possibly. Offering/sharing cigarettes is social in China.

Summary

Topic	Answer
Indoor smoking	Banned in major cities
Outdoor smoking	Usually OK
Cigarette prices	¥10-50 per pack
Buying	Convenience stores, supermarkets
Vaping	Legal but regulated (rules change)
Customs limit	400 cigarettes duty-free
Train smoking	Absolutely forbidden

Bottom line: Respect indoor bans, smoke in designated areas when available, and enjoy cheap cigarettes. Vaping is legal but regulated—assume “what you can buy” changes faster than your jet lag.

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Need to find a tobacco shop, translate no-smoking signs, or navigate airports/train stations? Start with /guide/03-daily-survival/navigation. A translation app also helps you spot 禁止吸烟 signs before a staff member does.