[4] The cigarettes are made with a flue-cured tobacco type and therefore sugar and nicotine levels are relatively high.

[5] Hongtashan cigarettes are mainly sold in China, though the export business is still a major operation, under the control of Indonesian businessman Ted Sioeng.

In 2004, Hong Kong-based distributor Silver Base Sales Manager Alex Chung (left) and Marco Tse, reported that they wanted to export the Hongtashan Premium variant to European and U.S. based Duty Free airport shops after the ease of visa restrictions for Chinese abroad.

Southeast Asian airports began selling the cigarettes from April 2004.

Of these locations, Singapore Changi Airport sold the highest volume.