Ashtray

Generic plastic ashtray

An ashtray is a receptacle for ash from cigarettes and cigars. Ashtrays are typically made of fireproof material such as glass, heat-resistant plastic, pottery, metal, or stone.

Types

Commemorative, decorative ashtray

Wallmounted ashtray

The most common ashtray design is a shallow cylinder with a flat base, to rest on a table. Other ashtrays, particularly in public places, are wall mounted, and larger than standard tabletop ashtrays due to the increased use they receive. Many ashtrays have notches at the rim, to hold cigarettes and/or a cigar.

Ashtrays were not a common part of life until the early 20th century, when cigarette manufacturers began to encourage the development of ashtrays as an American consumer product. The word itself did not come into common use until 1926. The need for public ash receptacles saw a surge in the post-World War II era when cigarettes began to be manufactured en mass with non-biodegradable filters and inexpensive popular cigars sold affixed with disposable plastic tips.

See also

• Smoking culture