A Bahraini man, who was caught smoking a cigarette while driving his car, was charged denigrating Ramadan, according to a report in Bahrain’s Daily Tribune newspaper.

Police caught the man smoking and holding a juice can in his hand in public and was immediately referred to the Lower Criminal Court, where he was remanded in custody for seven days, pending an investigation.

Earlier this month, an Egyptian woman was charged with smoking in public during daylight hours, as she was being questioned by a Customs officer at Bahrain International Airport.

The 32-year-old had been escorted into the lieutenant's office after she tried to avoid having her bags checked at the airport, claiming she was late for her flight.

Gulf Daily News reported that she allegedly insulted the officer, knocked his hat off and lit a cigarette in his office.

She said that she lit the cigarette as she was not fasting. She also claimed that she accidentally knocked the policeman’s hat off, as she wave her hands explaining that she was late for her flight. She was released on BD500 bail.

Bahrain, like other Islamic countries, prohibits smoking, drinking and eating in public in the daylight hours during the holy month of Ramadan.