Fad*ish- fashion and design

Most non-smokers think that smokers are inconsiderate S.O.B.’s. What was once a symbol of Hollywood glamor and sophistication has been reduced to the equivalent of shooting drugs in clandestine alleyways. As a result, smoking has been banded from restaurants, bars, cafes, and generally anyplace where life exists. But alas somewhere in Japan, Abitax is looking to give smokers back their dignity.

Abitax created the portable astray to help the average smoker be more conscientious of their cigarette butts, and remarkably stylish in the process. Led by Kazuma Yamaguchi -- a product designer who worked in Italy 10 years before establishing his own Japanese studio in 1990 -- Abitax creates a handful of random, but useful everyday products. The portable ashtray is no exception. It is made from anodized aluminum for easy cleaning, and its sliding cap makes it easy to use. Each container holds about 15 butts, which means the average smoker will only be tossing about 5 butts in the street (unless they buy two ashtrays).

Initially, the idea of carrying around one’s litter in a box, no matter how cute the color, seemed bit disgusting. However, the service that these candy-colored ‘butt-boxes’ provide to the community is priceless. Imagine a world with out the careless tossing of cigarette butts – we haven’t seen genius like this since the advent of the pooper-scooper. The portable ashtray retails for about $32.00 in the US, and can be considered one small step for smokers and one giant step for mankind. More information on Abitax’s products is available at their website at www.abitax.co.jp, and can be purchased at www.tortoiselife.com.

*ms.b

Labels: Style