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Download Online shopping is emerging as a new challenge to tobacco control, as more young people are using the Internet to circumvent age restrictions and purchase cigarettes. Zhang Yunlong, a 16-year-old from Shenyang, Liaoning province, admitted he is a chain smoker. "I've been smoking for more than two years and have been buying cigarettes online for one year," he said. Zhang said it takes him only a few minutes to make an online purchase. "Owners of online stores don't care if you are an adult or adolescent. You only need to pay the money and they will deliver the cigarettes to you," Zhang said. According to the Chinese Association for Tobacco Control, more than 20,000 vendors are selling cigarettes on Taobao.com, China's largest online shopping site. Chinese law says that those who produce or sell cigarettes need special licenses. Most online stores skirt this regulation by claiming to be selling cigarette packaging. "No one would believe that a cigarette package would cost more than 100 yuan ($16). Stores selling packaging are actually selling cigarettes," said an online vendor surnamed Lin. A survey by the association at 30 schools in Beijing and Henan province showed that four out of 10 middle-school students have purchased cigarettes. More teenagers are buying cigarettes online not only to avoid questioning from their parents, but also because of their low prices. A carton of Chunghwa-brand cigarettes costs 980 yuan at most conventional stores, but can be purchased online for just 150 yuan. | 
