Safety campaigners have called for a ban on smoking while driving.

A spokesperson from one organisation said the smoking ban on July 1st this year will cause more people to smoke in their cars – and therefore put more road users at risk.

Local Authority Road Safety Officers' Association spokesperson Simon Ettinghausen said: "Anything you do in the car is a distraction, whether it's eating, drinking, using a mobile phone or smoking. But smoking in particular can be very dangerous."

But the Association of British Drivers has slammed the plans.

Spokesperson Paul Biges said: "It's all getting a bit silly. Driving without due care and attention is covered by existing laws. Where do you draw the line? Banning people from picking their noses while driving?"

The Department of Transport has said there are no plans to ban smoking while driving.