Ashtray to help quit smoking

3 students of Department of Psychology, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) designed a special lung-shaped ashtray in order to reduce cigarette consumption. A mirror was placed under the ashtray prepared by using augmented reality technology, creating the feeling that the addicted person sees their own face while putting out the cigarette and sticks the cigarette butt in their lungs. IUE students also placed a "QR Code" on the ashtray they created within the scope of the "Psychology of Perception" course, which can be scanned on their smartphones. Special contents have also been prepared in order for people to obtain detailed information about the harms of smoking after scanning the QR Code.

CAME IN FIRST IN THE COMPETITION

The ashtray, prepared by IUE of Department Psychology 3rd year students Beste Emen (21), Rabia Deniz Sandıkçı (22) and Tuğba Battal (23) as a result of 6 month work, was deemed worthy of an award. The ashtray project, which was carried out under the coordination of IUE Project Development and Technology Transfer Office with the slogan of "Free Your Lungs", won the "Creative Ideas for a Sustainable Future Competition", with the participation of 17 projects from all over Turkey.

WE TRIED A DIFFERENT METHOD

Stating that they are happy to have developed a project that will contribute to the society, IUE students said that the ashtray can be easily produced and their attempts in this regard are continuing. Giving information about the project, Emen, Sandıkçı and Battal said, “In recent years, many studies have been carried out to reduce smoking. While doing these, the feeling of 'fear' has become the focal point. These studies tried to create anxiety in people by taking into account the harm that will occur as a result of smoking. Of course, this method can also be used, but we addressed it with a different perspective. In our study, we used the fear-appeal theory supported with augmented reality. This theory aims to show people the negative consequences that will occur in cases where they cannot perform the behaviors that should be applied, by using the feeling of 'fear', thus, trying to persuade the person. This was the method used in our study. We focused on what we can do in a smoking environment. We wanted smokers to see how self-harming they were each time they put out a cigarette.”

VISUAL IS MORE EFFECTIVE

IUE students continued as follows: “Smoking is one of the main factors that negatively affect our health. People may forget how much harm they can do to themselves while smoking. They can be indifferent to what they read. The visual impact can be a much more deterrent in this regard. There is also a section in the ashtray where butts pile up. Lung-shaped ashtray is a transparent structure. It is psychologically effective to see your own face while putting out the cigarette every day, and to add a new one to the area full of butts in the ashtray every time you put out a cigarette. We set out with these thoughts when we were making the ashtray. We were also happy to be the first in the competition.”