San Marino - That smoking is a health hazard is a well known fact, but the tiny Republic of San Marino's has also declared it a traffic offence.

Motorists in the enclave-nation, which is nestled in central Italy, face 100 euro (158 dollars) fines if caught puffing away while driving, following the introduction Monday of a new highway code.

"The norm is open to interpretation, but is based on the notion that a driver who removes one hand from the steering wheel to hold a cigarette could be guilty of negligence," a San Marino police official said.

Police enforcing the new code are also called to apply it with health regulations that ban passengers of a car from smoking unless they have obtained permission from the driver, the official said.

The code also prescribes 100 euro fines for motorists who fail to buckle up and for those wearing headphones and other items deemed to impair their ability to drive safely.

Repeat offenders who are caught within a period of less than two years are liable to pay double the amount prescribed for each offence.

San Marino which covers a surface area of some 61.5 square kilometres boasts a road network of some 220 kilometres.

With its population of 42,000 it claims to be the oldest constitutional republic in the world, tracing its origins to 301 when it was founded by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian. (dpa)