Motorists who smoke while driving in the UK may now face prosecution, with the new ruling part of the revamped Highway Code, which was launched last week.
The new rule states that drivers who smoke can be prosecuted if it is thought they are driving without due care and attention.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Drivers should remember they have to concentrate and shouldn't be distracted by passengers, loud music, reading a map, using a mobile phone or smoking ."
"If you're lighting up with one hand and have a fag in the other hand, then obviously you don't have any hands on the steering wheel - concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents ."
The new ruling has already triggered angry responses from pro-smoking lobbies.
Simon Clark, director of campaign group Forest, responded: "There's not a shred of evidence that smoking is a cause of accidents, or is any more of a distraction than changing a CD or operating air-conditioning controls."
