World Health Organisation Director-General Margaret Chan said the government must diversify powers granted the state monopoly to oversee and promote the tobacco industry while also exerting influence over the campaign to control smoking, Reuters said.

Chan, speaking at the conclusion of a visit to China, said she told officials government agency functions should be stripped from the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA), the news agency reported. Anti-smoking advocates have complained centralisation of tobacco regulatory powers in STMA has weakened tobacco control efforts.