1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

Smoker Bench

By Tanya Palta on Friday, November 7th, 2008

Image: Smoker Bench

Smoker Bench. Designed by Fatih Baltas.

Mark Twain once famously said, “It’s easy to quit smoking. I’ve done it hundreds of times.” According to my smoker friends Mr. Twain lived in much simpler times and wasn’t subjected to anti-smoking initiatives that make smokers look like the Devil incarnate. Strong words I know, but given the widening chasm between smokers and non-smokers, its hard not to pick a side! [via Yanko Design]

WARNING: Smoking will kill you; 3rings is officially a non-smoking publication.

These days a smoker is instantaneously identifiable. Just spot the forlorn face in the crowd who is attempting not to wear his/her love of the cigarette like a suit of armor but also is trying not fall in the cookie-cutter mode. Its clear that Turkish designer Fatih Baltas is empathizing with the smokers of the world by designing the extremely politically incorrect Smoker Bench!

A spirit of intrepid experimentation typifies the Smoker Bench. Controversial, impenitent and impudent, the Smoker Bench tries to take a more pragmatic approach towards the current pandemic of smoking. It doesn’t ask smokers to give up the cancer stick, but rather satiates the cravings of the smoker by providing a soporific seating solution. The bench also quite cheekily has its own little green patch, which seeks to undo the damage to a smoker’s long abused lungs (as if that were possible). Interestingly enough, the ever-thoughtful designer has also equipped his bench with two ashtrays on both ends!

Many see a ban on smoking as a draconian infringement of civil rights while many worry about secondhand smoke. The Smoker Bench may ruffle a few (okay more than a few) feathers, however Baltas’s Bench is nothing more than one of those designated smoking areas albeit with a more contemporary flavor.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Tags:

More from this author

Tanya Palta recently completed her degree majoring in History. After trying to come up with a gazillion excuses to avoid work in the corporate world, she decided she might as well do something she loves. Hence, she dabbled in photography and also became a freelance writer. She has always been creatively inclined (so she says), and in particular, the contemporary design scene is of great interest for her.

4 Comments Add your own

by Jacob Slevin November 7th, 2008

I hate when people smoke, but review this ‘Smokers Bench’ as an interesting statement. Firstly, if we were able to get more people smoking outside and AWAY from buildings, there would be less second-hand smoke indoors. I can’t tell you how often I am sitting in a restaurant and I smell smoke from those folks just outside the entry door seeping into the building via the draft. Moreover, this bench somewhat mocks the idea of smoking — at least it appears that way to me.

by Tanya Palta November 7th, 2008

I am a little ambiguous on the issue. While I do think its a disgusting habit and you won’t ever catch me with a cigarette in my hand, I think its a personal choice and crucifying smokers has become quite a trend these days.

Designated indoor smoking rooms are a good idea but I don’t think its okay to smoke outside in a balcony or a building and kill the unaware passerby with secondhand smoke. Atleast when I go in a pub I know what to expect but I do want to breathe in some fresh air when I am outside.

[…] Source […]

by 3rings » Tanya is Thankful For November 28th, 2008

[…] am thankful for the Smoker Bench. No, I don’t smoke. Never have. Never will. Even on my rather futile quest to achieve a size zero […]

Share your thoughts...