>>And there were ashtrays in the backs of the bus seats, armrests of airplane seats, walls of compartments on trains, and any lobby anywhere.
>
>I looked at one new car that comes standard without an ashtray. For $20 or $25 you could buy a "smoker's convenience package" -- a cigarette lighter and an ashtray.

I had one for free - leftover cans of Guinness, lid removed, about half full of water (safer - no nasty maneuvering, no need to look down, just drop it in), and the can holder is already there. Had to resort to that because the previous owner lost the ashtray and lighter. I could have bought another lighter, but it was completely unusable where it was, at the bottom of the column, near the base of the shift. I drove like that for about seven years. And no, never had a cop ask me about my beer... though I'd gladly offer a sample :).