The state controlled tobacco industry generated nearly CNY 956 billion (EUR 116 billion) in profit and tax last year, most of which went to the government, according to Xinhua news agency.

Of the total, more than CNY 816 billion landed in government coffers, a nearly 14 per cent increase from 2012, the news agency said in a story on its English language website citing Ling Chengxing, head of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. Tobacco growers realised a 6 per cent gain in total revenue to CNY 62.3 billion, Xinhua said.