Story: Smoking

Centennial exhibition ashtray

Centennial exhibition ashtray

By the mid-20th century smoking was so accepted in New Zealand society that ashtrays were considered essential items in any indoor space. Some were highly desired fashion and collectors' pieces, such as this souvenir ashtray from the 1940 New Zealand Centennial Exhibition at Rongotai, Wellington.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: CG002453

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Smoking - Cigarettes rule: 1900–1960', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/38978/centennial-exhibition-ashtray (accessed 28 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 5 Sep 2013