As one smoker said at the Detroit Auto Show, "Do you know what smokers have to go through today just to smoke? It's like they're trying to erase us from history." More and more carmakers are making it harder to smoke in one's own vehicle by replacing lighters and ashtrays with storage spaces and power outlets.
The trend is driven by "pressure from anti-smoking groups, fewer smokers and the need for the extra storage space." According to the United Health Foundation, about 20.8% of the population smokes, which means about 60 million people. According to Apple, 100 million people have bought iPods. Add that to the 4 million iPhones sold, and the untold millions of Blackberrys, Palms, Razrs and what have you, and it's easy to see that people who need juice on-the-go well outnumber people who need a puff on-the-go.
Not that we're advocating the rarity of ashtrays. While a company like Chrysler hasn't put ashtrays and the like in its cars since 1996, automakers more likely to have humidor-owning customers, like Rolls-Royce, still include places to properly dispose of cigar ash -- and they're beautiful to behold as well. If anything, we do think it a bit unfair that some carmakers make you pay for your smoking gear, from $15 to $100 for a "smokers group" option. That just ain't right, since, like Vegas, what happens in your car, stays in your car...
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 32)
paul34 @ Jan 24th 2008 7:34PM
I'm emo and cut myself a lot. Damn these car companies for not providing gauze and bandages! It's like they're trying to erase us from history!
AlexP @ Jan 24th 2008 7:45PM
It's funny because they're erasing themselves anyway.
SOhp101 @ Jan 24th 2008 7:53PM
No one cares about emo people.
"That just ain't right, since, like Vegas, what happens in your car, stays in your car... "
Except, most smokers smoke with the windows down and keep the cigarettes outside of the car so it ends up going into the air conditioning of the car behind him/her.
You're free to smoke, but do it when you're just standing around. Walking (or driving) behind someone who is smoking is just plain annoying.
John @ Jan 24th 2008 8:00PM
Agreed SOhp101.
I can't stand anything more than having cigarettes flung out windows by the assholes smoking in the car in front of me.
I could *maybe* tolerate it if they put their arm out the window and dropped it, but the vast majority fling or flick it out the upper portion of the window and of course, it flies right back at the car behind them.
Eric Biran @ Jan 24th 2008 8:55PM
I'm with SOhp101: smoke if you want to, but keep it in your car. If I had to make some kind of educated guess, I'd say at least 2/3 of smokers either blow their cigarette smoke out the window or hold their cigarette there when in the car.
No thanks, I don't think the rest of us should have to foot the bill on accessories for your habit. You wanna light up? Spring for the lighter and ashtray yourself. What's next? Standard, no-cost beer cozies for drunk drivers?
And FYI, while people are smoking and driving, they are breaking the law by not keeping both hands on the wheel. Probably not nearly the threat that cell phones are, but you can't deny the fact that they're operating several tons of motive steel while also juggling a stick that is partially ON FIRE. Not exactly a recipe for safety. I'm sure some of those cigarette burns we all come across in used cars are from "accidents."
Not all smokers are bad people, and smoking won't make you a bad person, but all this animosity towards them isn't from nowhere. People genuinely are bothered by having to breathe the smoke. Smokers may not want to admit that (and it's especially easy for them to deny, due to the way that smoking dulls one's sense of smell) but it's true. And while they make efforts to avoid bothering others by not smoking indoors, there are still very few smoke free places outdoors. It's almost impossible to enter large buildings, colleges, apartments, drive with the windows/top down, eat outdoors, or go to the beach without having to breathe second hand smoke.
I'm all for freedom of choice (although how much choice is involved in addiction could be argued), don't get me wrong, but due to the cost-vs.-benefits, I'd just as soon see smoking banned for good. Even then, if you manage to light up and aren't bothering anyone, why would anybody complain? And maybe if you do annoy enough people, you get to deal with an annoying fine or something.
fm @ Jan 24th 2008 9:02PM
I agree with john. Seriously, smoke in your car if you want too but don't flick the goddam lit butt outside. Specially on those dry windy days. Don't you think you can start a brush fire or worse a car fire? Put it out first if you want to throw out. Seriously dude. Seriously. Stop it.
grandmother @ Jan 25th 2008 5:40PM
BUY YOURSELF A LEXUS; 1ST AID KIT IN TRUNK.
JIM @ Jan 27th 2008 1:52PM
HaHa... Paul , I'm an Alcoholic its ashame the car company don't include a Beer Miester and a Puke Bucket... It's like they're trying to erase us from History.... LMFAO....Haa
mike m. @ Jan 24th 2008 7:41PM
I am glad these companies are making it harder to smoke. I cannot stand smokers. I wish they would all just drop dead (with a few exceptions). They do nothing but kill themselves and more imortantly others around them. The more money smokers have to pay, the better.
Seoultrain @ Jan 24th 2008 7:44PM
.. and smoking affects you how?
While smoking isn't the smartest activity, people should be free to smoke without self-righteous people on their ass all the time.
AlexP @ Jan 24th 2008 7:49PM
Wow Mike, I wish you'd die.
While I'm a non-smoker, I won't complain if someone's smoking in his house, but I certainly wouldn't allow them to smoke in the environments I own. Hell, it's logical, and I don't have to tell anyone to do it, because they just do it.
The majority of smokers know they have a problem and won't force that problem down anyone's throat. If they go outside for a smoke they won't disrespect you if you don't follow them.
Chris Vitale @ Jan 24th 2008 7:49PM
Woah...Take a chill pill man.
Are you also upset because the fat people are hogging all the Jell-O at your local Sizzler?
mike m. @ Jan 24th 2008 7:55PM
Smokers are inconsiderate, and I guess none of you have been educated anywhere decent, because secondhand smoke (smoke that others inhale from someone's cigarette) is much worse for you than regular smoke. For every minute you inhale secondhand smoke, its a minute of your life expectancy.
Reader @ Jan 24th 2008 8:07PM
Oh please, I can show you one of the oldest and most comprehensive studies from the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION that says secondhand smoke never hurt anyone. Don't start calling people ignorant when they have evidence to back up their opinion.
Alcohol and cell phones both cause more innocent deaths than smoking, so maybe everyone that has a cell phone should go and die. Why don't you try to gain a little perspective on the world, Mike, it'll do you good.
Seoultrain @ Jan 24th 2008 8:17PM
"For every minute you inhale secondhand smoke, its a minute of your life expectancy."
So where were you "educated" so well that it leads you to believe such simplistic, propagandistic garbage like that? Education is no substitute for common sense. Not to say that I'm a high school dropout...(UC Berkeley, Go Bears!)
And to say that smokers are inconsiderate is a foolish generalization. Almost all smokers I know excuse themselves when they smoke, and always ask if I mind.
As for second-hand smoke, it is harmful, but walking behind someone smoking for 2 minutes is not going to have any kind of measurable effect. Now, parents who smoke in front of young children are very irresponsible, but otherwise, second hand smoke has been blown totally out of proportion.
Gregg @ Jan 24th 2008 8:46PM
Have to assume. Mike, that you are kidding. Otherwise, you are a turd. And that is from someone who would rather die than hate you.
Smeagle @ Jan 24th 2008 9:22PM
I am a smoker although I have attempted to quit several times. It's a difficult thing to explain to non-smokers, actually its a difficult thing to explain to myself, why I feel the need to adversely affect my health and pay for the privilege.
I don't think I'm alone in saying that I wish cigarettes were banned outright. If they weren't easily available, nobody would smoke and the world would be a better place.
This sort of thing however, making it harder and harder for people to smoke doesn't help anything. In my state you can't smoke in nightclubs anymore, hell you can't even smoke under covered outdoor areas. People still smoke though, we just feel a little more ostracised and resentful because we are forced to go outside to do so.
Anyway, the lack of ashtrays in cars is of concern particularly here in Australia where bushfires are commonplace. There will always be an element that smokes while driving and if they have nowhere to put the butt, it's asking for trouble.
chuck @ Jan 24th 2008 9:31PM
@Reader
the WHO itself says the 1998 study results have been misrepresented. Also, the report did not say that second-hand smoke "never hurt anyone. What it did say was the cancer risk was 16% greater for those exposed to secondhand smoke - the issue was the margin of error of the study was large.
http://www.who.int/inf-pr-1998/en/pr98-29.html
All other reports back the risk of SHS and it is fact that SHS contains harmful chemicals.
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/Factsheets/SecondhandSmoke.htm
Whatever the risk actually is, the concern of exposure expressed by non-smokers is a fair and honest one.
Having said that, I agree MikeM. statements are way out of line. There are much bigger and better understood problems in the world.
manner @ Jan 25th 2008 4:20PM
Gee, I smoke. Outside. I think we should put really high taxes on potato chips, soda pop and all the other junk foods the more money the better! I suppose you have no habits of your own Huh? are you overweight, pick your nose, drink alcohol? cocaine? I don't like those things but I don't wish anyone dead. What goes around comes around
sexy dc diva @ Jan 25th 2008 3:55PM
you are just as dumb as you sound !