The smallest sex difference in smoking rates in the region was recorded in Lebanon in 2004, where both men and women smoke are relatively high rates (33 per cent for men and 19 per cent for women). The largest sex difference in smoking rates was recorded in Egypt, where 44 per cent of men but only 1 per cent of women smoke, according to 2008 data. The highest drop in percentage of smoking men was recorded in Egypt (from 56 to 44), and the lowest drop for women in Yemen (from 10 to 6). Palestine reported an increase of 1 per cent in smoking among men (from 41 to 42) (see annexed table).