Ex-BAT chief to head novelty ashtray launch
Paul Duxbury, who left a senior marketing position at British American Tobacco (BAT) in April, has resurfaced as sales and marketing director of BUTTsOUT, the UK company that is launching a buttock-shaped “portable ashtray”, to encourage the country’s 12 million smokers to clean up their own cigarette butts.
At BAT, Duxbury was in charge of marketing brands such as Rothmans, Cartier and Vogue.
He says the ashtrays, which clip on to belts, are made of high-impact fire-resistant moulded plastic and cost about &£2. Rather than drop cigarette butts on the ground, smokers are encouraged to put them in their BUTTsOUT ashtrays for later disposal in waste bins.
When the concept was launched in Australia a year ago, it was supported by a range of government agencies, health groups and private companies. More than 100,000 ashtrays – many sporting corporate or brand logos – have been distributed through local anti-litter campaigns, including one to clean up the world-famous Bondi Beach.
Duxbury says that 122 tons of cigarette stubs, matches and other smoking-related litter are thrown away in the UK every day. He adds that the ashtrays will attract a range of potential partners, including local councils, health groups, sports clubs and entertainment companies and even cigarette manufacturers and retailers – “anyone wanting to stress their social or environmental credentials,” he says.
A test campaign is already under way with Colchester United Football Club.
