Abstract: An improved cigar and cigarette ashtray for receiving and retaining at least one lighted elongated smoking article as it burns down is disclosed. The ashtray includes a mechanism for holding lighted smoking articles, said holding mechanism adapted to receive and retain said lighted smoking articles. The mechanism for holding is configured to support a substantial portion of the unburned longitudinal length of said at least one lighted smoking article in a substantially horizontal position. The mechanism for holding lighted smoking articles also includes a plurality of smoking-article-holding grooves. An ashtray insert is also disclosed. The ashtray insert is utilized in conjunction with an existing ashtray and is adapted to receive and retain at least one lighted smoking article.