PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Cambodia has the highest rate of smokers among five Southeast Asian countries surveyed in a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), The Cambodia Daily reported on Thursday.

    Fifty-four percent of Cambodian men surveyed said they smoked, compared to 53 percent in Indonesia, 50 percent in Vietnam, 49 percent in Malaysia and 39 percent in Thailand.

    Cambodia's women also smoke the most, but at a lower overall rate. Six percent of female Cambodians said they smoke, compared to 4 percent in Indonesia, 3 percent in Malaysia and Vietnam and 2 percent in Thailand.

    "Compared to other countries in the region, Cambodia is the most open for tobacco ads," WHO's Yel Daravuth said.

    Cambodia has no ban on tobacco ads, while Laos has a partial ban, Malaysia and Vietnam have strong limitations and Thailand has a total ban, he said.

    Cambodia's Minister of Health Nuth Sokhom said Wednesday that a complete ban on tobacco advertising was being reviewed by the Council of Ministers. Enditem