Legal analysis: It is not illegal for cigarettes to be expensive, but if they are fake cigarettes, they can be reported to the market supervision department. The price of cigarettes will fluctuate because of market demand. Most shops selling cigarettes are self-operated, and it is legal to set the price slightly higher than the market price. China has clear standards and regulations on tobacco prices. As long as it does not exceed the national price limit, it will not violate the regulations and will not be punished.

Legal basis: Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China

Article 15 An enterprise engaged in the wholesale business of tobacco products must be approved by the tobacco monopoly administrative department of the State Council or the provincial tobacco monopoly administrative department, obtain a tobacco monopoly wholesale enterprise license, and be approved and registered by the administrative department for industry and commerce.

article 16 an enterprise or individual engaged in the retail business of tobacco products shall be examined and approved by the administrative department for industry and commerce of the people's government at the county level and issued a tobacco monopoly retail license upon the entrustment of the tobacco monopoly administrative department at the next higher level. Where a county-level tobacco monopoly administrative department has been established, it may also issue a tobacco monopoly retail license upon examination and approval by the county-level tobacco monopoly administrative department.