The pocket ashtray is a convenient and considerate way for smokers to engage in their beloved albeit self-destructive activity without leaving a mess behind in situations where a proper means of butt disposal is unavailable.

Pocket ashtrays range in cost and elegance from the simple foil-lined carboard evelopes distributed free or for a US dollar or so each by anti-litter groups to cloisonne or precious metal beauties that cost a large box-full of dollars. Some have sliding drawer designs, while others open like a pocket watch and feature a holder for your lit cigarette.The small tins that some products, such as Altoids, also make excellent pocket ashtrays (credit drinkypoo for this one).

Using a fine pocket ashtray will lend you an air of elegance, sophistication, elan, and savoir faire, to say nothing of averting litter, environmental contamination and fires. You can park it on a nearby surface when there's no ashtray around. You can gracefully pull it out when finished with your smoke to extinguish the butt, stash it inside and return the neat little device to your pocket, tidily carrying away your ashes, butt and their odors. When in the wild outdoors, it's an even better solution than field dressing a cigarette butt.