China will tighten control of the tobacco industry and clean up the market for the upcoming Chinese new year, authorities said on January 18.

The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) said at a work meeting that tobacco regulators at all levels will pay close attention to the tobacco market during the Spring Festival and crack down on any production or distribution of fake cigarettes.

In 2004, China prosecuted 269,000 cases of production of fake cigarettes, demolished 2,805 illegal cigarette factories and made 1,208 convictions.

The Spring Festival is usually the booming season for tobacco sale when Chinese give cigarettes as new year presents to relatives and friends.

STMA said that, together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, they will increase their efforts in clamping down the underground distribution and production network and cigarettes smuggling in the coastal areas in China.

Source: Xinhua