Why Do Cars Still Have Ashtrays?

[daepp]

Just sayin... I mean really, can't we find a better use for that space. Can we start with a cell phone cubbie w/ charger? Pa-leaseee.

[foxpaws]

Both of my 'dailies', 2003 and 2009 don't have ashtrays.

[speeder]

Because smoking hasn't been outlawed, yet?

I don't understand the question. Do you think that smokers should just toss 'em out the window?

[James Brown]

new Porsche you have to ask for the smoker package, ya get a nice cubby for the ashtray

[speedemon666]

The world is my ashtray!!

Geting tired of listening to anti-smoking whiners.

[targa911S]

because people still smoke?

[T77911S]

because smokers just throw the butts outside. it looks better to have the butts spread out than to see the pile of butts at the stop lights where they empty the ashtray.

[pwd72s]

They often don't....my Mustang has no ashtray. Frankly, one of the things I don't like about today's cars is that they are skimpy on interior storage space because of the front & side air bags, guard beams in the door, etc.

[mattdavis11]

I agree. Manufacture a car with a cubby for cell phones and lock it down until it's parked.

[FastCarFan]

Ashtrays occupy valuable real estate in dashboards/consoles. I know designers are often frustrated because they have to include an ashtray in a dash or console - they would rather use that space for something else.

Some manufacturers have eliminated them - along with lighters (although they still retain power ports). Buyers can usually request them, often (always?) free of charge. I believe at one point - maybe still - Corvettes did not have ashtrays. Smokers who requested them could get one that could be inserted into a cupholder (thus rendering the cupholder essentially useless).

For the record, the ashtray in my daily driver is used to hold change & a small bottle of Purell. The ashtray in my 911 has never been used for anything in the 12 years I have owned it.

[daepp]

I'm no anti-smoker zealot. In fact, I still like to join the guys outside while they smoke and I enjoy a good cup of joe. But at least let it be an option - I mean, what percent of the population still smokes. 1%? 5%? I don't think I've ever owned a car without an ashtray.

/rant off

[scottmandue]

While not lockable they do make a good hideaway cubby...

Some low life might break a $100 window to collect $10 change if you leave it out in plain sight.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by daepp

- I mean, what percent of the population still smokes. 1%? 5%?....

In the USA, 19.0% of all adults (43.8 million people) The numbers are higher world wide.

[daepp]

My bad. Perhaps the numbers are a little skewed in the People's Republik of Kalifornia.

BTW - a lockable cubby would be even cooler!

[gacook]

Originally Posted by daepp

My bad. Perhaps the numbers are a little skewed in the People's Republik of Kalifornia.

BTW - a lockable cubby would be even cooler!

I find it funny that as anti-smoking as Cali is, when I was there, I still saw people smoking EVERYWHERE. Not to mention that a pack of smokes was about $3 cheaper there (Sacramento) than it is in Arizona.