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The usage of opium and opium smoking had the most popularity during the early to mid nineteenth century. During this time, the usage of opium had survived under the rule of three emperors, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng. While China had trade relations with Britain, in order to balance financial books between the two Britain sold China opium from India which added to availability of opium in China's society. This put pressure on India from China as the overwhelming demand for opium was straining as the fixed supply simply no longer reached demands. Though the relations between the three deteriorated leading to the First Opium War. China's crackdown on outlawing the use of opium while Britain advocated for free trade as they were the source of trading opium into China. In the Qing Empire all aspects of society had been affected by opium by the 1800s. Opium was considered a luxury item that was traded to Britain in exchange for Chinese teas. At this time the act of opium smoking was prevalent among students, soldiers, urban middle class, and wealthier peasants. Also during this time one of the most influential groups was the sex industry that dominated the trend setter scene as the combination of both opium smoking and sex seemed to be the favoured past time. They had become the most important opium consumers by 1810. The increase in popularity was a result of both social and economic shifts between the the Ming and the Qing dynasties in which there was a boost in commercialization, consumerism, and urbanization of opium within the general public.

Besides the sex industry, another driving force behind the popularity and usage of opium was the urban elite. Through these channels the popularity of opium continued to grow and so did the demand for it. This also struck during the Interwar war (1842-1856) since opium was still in high demand, this lead to an increase in smuggling, cultivation, and consumption in the public. Recreational use of opium expanded to all areas of China from the urban inland to the rural county sides. It also filtered down form the urban elites and middle class to the lower, working class citizens.