An apparatus for cutting away a used portion of a cigarette and storing the remaining portion of the cigarette, comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a first housing section having a first compartment for storing a cigarette and a second compartment that is separate from the first compartment, the first housing section having a first end that has an opening to allow a cigarette to be inserted into or removed from the first compartment, the first housing section further comprising a second end that is opposite the first end, wherein the second end closes off the first compartment and has a passageway in communication with the second compartment, the first housing section comprising an exterior wall having an opening that is located between the first and second ends of the first housing section and which is in communication with the second compartment;
- a second housing section joined to the second end of the first housing section, the second housing section comprising a front portion having an opening, a rear portion having an opening, and a hollow interior located between the openings of the front and rear portions, wherein the openings provide access to the hollow interior, wherein the openings and hollow interior are sized to receive a cigarette;
- a cutting device movably positioned within the second compartment, wherein the cutting device can move in a first direction toward the first end of the first housing section or in an opposite, second direction toward the second end of the housing, the cutting device comprising a blade that passes through the passageway of the second end and enters the hollow interior of the second housing section when the cutting device is moved in the second direction;
- a button positioned on the first housing section and having a portion that extends through the opening in the exterior wall in the first housing and is connected to the cutting device, wherein the button allows a user to move the cutting device in the first and second directions;
- and
- wherein when a user desires to cut off a used portion of a cigarette, the user inserts the used portion of the cigarette through the opening of the front portion of the second housing section so that the used portion of the cigarette enters the hollow interior and protrudes from the opening of the rear portion of the second housing section, and then moves the button so that the cutting blade enters the hollow interior and cuts off the used portion of the cigarette, and wherein the user then stores the remaining portion of the cigarette in the first compartment.