Controversies

'Huanghelou · Chinese Dream' 1,000-Yuan Sky-High Cigarette Exposed; Hubei China Tobacco Says Not a Formal Product

In July 2013, a cigarette named 'Huanghelou · Chinese Dream' was exposed online, with its unit price rumored to be as high as 1,000 yuan per pack; against the backdrop of the Central Eight-Point Regulation and austerity efforts, it triggered strong public criticism of 'sky-high cigarettes' and consumption with public funds. China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. responded that the product was an internally developed creative product, not a formally marketed commodity, and had not been sold externally. Impact and handling: the incident became a typical public relations crisis that year, with Phoenix Net Hubei and others producing special features; the 'sky-high cigarette' issue was subsequently subjected to rectification by tobacco monopoly departments. Progress: company response. Involved entity: China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. Related scope: China Tobacco Hubei's 'Huanghelou · Chinese Dream' trial product.