The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has been accused of sluggish tobacco control by a deputy to the National People's Congress, cb.com.cn reports.

China joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control six years ago but tobacco sales continue to rise instead of fall, NPC deputy Ma Li said.

Miao Wei, head of the MIIT, admitted tobacco control has not been very effective.

Earlier, Ma Li said the prime reason for the sluggish control is that the ministry is in charge of both sales and control, which are contradictory to each other. The ministry had replied that it is reasonable and necessary for one ministry to take care of both matters under the current conditions.