Zhongnanhai is a Chinese brand of cigarettes, currently owned and manufactured by the Beijing Tobacco Corporation.[4] The name Zhongnanhai is also that of a central government complex in Beijing.
History
Zhongnanhai was launched in the 1960s and it is highly popular and holds a large market share in Beijing.[5] The cigarettes were very popular among young smokers in China. In a popular TV series, Struggle, portraying the lives of people who are struggling to make a living in the capital city of Beijing, its 8 mg version was one of the cigarette products consumed by leading young characters. As a result, Zhongnanhai (8 mg) had become a favorite for young adults who were struggling to have a better life.[6]
Zhongnanhai cigarettes are generally produced in seven varieties: 1 mg, Menthol 1 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg, 8 mg, "Special" 8 mg, and 10 mg, referring to tar content. The official website refers to other varieties such as "12 mg" and "Red", which, however, are reported not to be widely available on the Chinese market.