Keith Richards Apparently Uses a "Motorized Ashtray" to Avoid Pissing Off Mick

Well, at least he hasn't started vaping

BY Brock ThiessenPublished Aug 30, 2019

Despite Keith Richards not hitting the booze and drugs much these days, the Rolling Stones guitar hero still enjoys the fine art of smoking. Apparently, though, this doesn't sit so well with longtime bandmate Mick Jagger. But Keef has found a solution — he's reportedly started using a "motorized ashtray" to avoid irritating Mick's precious lungs.

The "news" comes via U.K. paper the Telegraph, which reports the circular device, which is apparently "smokeless," has been seen backstage during the Stones' recent "No Filter" tour.

The report reads as follows:

The unlikely rock and roll device is being used in the shared backstage area, allowing Richards, 75, to puff away without fear of recrimination. Its antique feel is belied by a silver metal interior that absorbs the smoke, Richards proudly explained. He revealed that he purchased it so as "not to bother Mick."

This tech-savvy ashtray uses internal fans to suck air from the cigarettes, then uses an internal filter to cleanse the air holding that dreaded second-hand smoke.

As the publication points out, Richards recently told Mojo, "Quitting heroin is like hell, but it's a short hell. Cigarettes are just always there, and you've always done it, I just pick 'em up and light 'em up without thinking about it."

And while Richards hasn't apparently been drinking alcohol these days, he did say, "I have a little wine with meals, and a beer or two, but otherwise… Mind you, if you say, 'Do you want a drink?' I wouldn't turn it down. I'm not a puritan."

Most importantly, though, we now know that Keef hasn't started vaping, thank god.

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