The curious case of car ashtrays: A journey into automotive relics
With society’s shift away from smoking, car ashtrays have become a relic of the past. What do we do with them now?
“Car ashtrays, the smoking gun of times past,” quipped Dominic Wyatt, the esteemed motoring expert of the International Drivers Association, reflecting on their nostalgic significance.
Once an integral part of every vehicle, car ashtrays have faded into obscurity, serving as relics of a bygone era. What led to their demise? A pivotal factor has been the global decline in smoking rates, plummeting by 50% in the last decade alone.
Society’s shift away from smoking
A deeper look into societal attitudes unveils a profound rejection of smoking habits. Stringent smoke-free laws, rigorous tobacco advertising regulations and extensive awareness campaigns have reshaped public perceptions, relegating ashtrays to antiquity.
The underutilisation of car ashtrays
Beyond underuse, car ashtrays have lost their allure, deemed as occupying space better utilised for modern features. This sentiment echoes in the growing preference for larger cup holders, additional plugs and multifunctional compartments.
Repurposing car ashtrays: giving them new life
Dominic Wyatt suggests creative reinventions for these forgotten relics:
- Loose change holder: A designated space for spare coins.
- Emergency kit space: Store essential items like a mini first-aid kit.
- Music and tech port: Utilise it for storing USB drives, cables and accessories.
- Mini trash bin: Keep your car tidy with a compact litter holder.
Wyatt concludes with a poignant reflection on the evolution of societal norms and consumer habits, urging industries to adapt and innovate.
The tale of car ashtrays serves as a reminder of how history shapes our present, prompting us to reimagine and repurpose artifacts of the past into narratives of the future.
Source: International Drivers Association
