End the most common form of littering
with one of the oldest form of communication

Smoke
Signals

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Where there's smoking,
there's litter

Cigarette butts are the most widespread form of littering, despite Sweden having the lowest share of smokers in the EU. Since smoking is prohibited in outdoor seating areas and outside serving establishments, smokers simply step out into the street — where the cigarette butts end up, causing both significant environmental damage and an unpleasant urban environment.

Every year,
the City of Malmö cleans up tons of litter from its streets, parks, and squares at a striking cost of

80,000,000
sek

Solving an age-old problem by prompting behavioral change

In Malmö, ashtrays have been installed on lampposts and bins, but they have proven too easy to miss. And despite the city’s increased cleaning efforts, the number of cigarette butts has not decreased — it has only resulted in higher costs for taxpayers.



So, to show smokers where they can both smoke and discard their cigarettes, prohibitions and reprimands have now been abandoned entirely. Instead, the way forward is communicated through signals that quite literally rise above the noise of everyday life to disrupt old habits.

A smoke ring floating in the clear blue sky.Blue sky with a circular smoke ring and part of a large blue machine and some leaves in the foreground.White smoke ring floating against a clear blue sky with tree leaves in the top left corner.Smoke ring floating upward against a clear blue sky with tree branches in the upper left corner.
A smoke ring floating in the clear blue sky.
A smoke ring floating in the clear blue sky.
A smoke ring floating in the clear blue sky.
A smoke ring floating in the clear blue sky.

Smoke signals are the new visual language for reaching smokers, using positive signals instead of prohibitions. And you too can put out the littering in your city by using the open source material here.

“This is a way to make the right choice both easier and more enjoyable.”

— Niklas Laninge, Psychologist and co-author of the report

image shows a person looking up at the blue smoke signals machine placed on a square in Malmö, Sweden
a circular white wavy shape that reads 'DOWNLOAD REPORT' around the perimeterdownload-icon

Behavioral
studies – the
genesis of it all

According to a survey by The Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, 97% of all Swedes believe that littering should decrease. Yet, Malmö’s streets are filled with cigarette butts — especially in bar-dense areas.
That’s why a preventive measure rooted in behavioral science was needed. And that’s why this project began with a new report developed by the City of Malmö together with Nordic Behavior Group.

The report shows that littering is rarely about ill will. Instead, it’s about whether the right choice is the easiest and most visible option.


These are the report’s three principles for extinguishing littering:

An image of the number '1'

Visability

The right alternative must be clearly noticeable and not blend into the urban environment.

Norms

An image of the number '2'

Social norms shape behavior — show that others use the ashtray, and the rest will follow.

An image of the number '3'

proximity

The distance to the ashtray is crucial — place the intervention exactly where the problem occurs.

a person looking up at the smoke signals machine inside a workshop
Circular smoke ring illustration with 'DOWNLOAD BLUEPRINT' around the perimeter.download-icon

A signal system designed from the three principles

The smoke signals combine all three principles of the report in an integration of behavioral design, innovation and ancient symbolism.
A new symbol indicating where smoking is permitted and where cigarette butts belong, standing in sharp contrast to the crossed-out circles and “No Smoking” signs of prohibition. A solution that stands out, dares to take space and sends positive signals to smokers.

An image of the number '1'

Visability

The right alternative must be clearly noticeable and not blend into the urban environment.

Illuminated round sign with text 'RÖK HÄR' mounted on a pole at dusk with tree branches and building silhouettes in the background.

Smoke Here

A guiding light

Signs and ashtrays mounted on streetlights, leading the way towards the correct disposal of cigarette butts.

Blue cigarette butt receptacle attached to a pole with the text 'FIMPA HÄR'.

Discard cigarette butts here

Drawing new shapes from ancient ways

Here, the smoke signals are used in a pictographic way.

Colors of guidance

The consistent blue color is RAL 5005, also known as Signal Blue which is commonly used in mandatory signs, indicating a required behavior rather than prohibition.

Lighting built to be seen

During the darker hours of the day, the text is backlit, further enhancing visibility.

The text 'RÖK HÄR' inside a wavy circular outline on a black background. Illustration labeled 'Shape'.
The text 'RÖK HÄR' on a blue background surrounded by a white, wave, circular shape. The label reads 'Color'.
The text 'RÖK HÄR' on a blue background surrounded by a white, wave, circular shape. The white shape is illuminated by a soft glow. The label reads 'Light'
The text 'RÖK HÄR' inside a wavy circular outline on a black background. Illustration labeled 'Shape'.
The text 'RÖK HÄR' on a blue background surrounded by a white, wave, circular shape. The label reads 'Color'.
The text 'RÖK HÄR' on a blue background surrounded by a white, wave, circular shape. The white shape is illuminated by a soft glow. The label reads 'Light'
Stack of square blue and white coasters with 'Följ rökringen till rökningen' on a blue background and a smoke ring in the center.
Stack of square blue and white coasters with 'Följ rökringen till rökningen' on a blue background and a smoke ring in the center.

Norms

An image of the number '2'

Social norms shape behavior — show that others use the ashtray, and the rest will follow.

A beacon signaling where smoking is allowed

This monument enables smokers to send each other smoke signals each time they discard a cigarette butt in the ashtray. Every signal is unique, shaped by wind and weather, yet with an unmistakable, characteristic form: a round, white ring of smoke.

10.29.2025      Version 1.0

Smoke
Signals

In use at Möllevångstorget, Malmö

Measurements:
3,200x2,400x2,400 mm
Weight:
422 kg
Color:
Signal blue (RAL 5005)
Placement:
Möllevångstorget, Malmö
Capacity:
3,000 cigarette butts

Mod. 1.4
Ext. environment and scale

Blueprint-style image showing a bicycle, a standing woman, the smoke signal machine, a man looking at a phone, and a seated woman on a bench with a scale at the bottom.

Mod. 1.3
Int. mechanics

Technical blueprint diagram of a cigarette disposal machine with labeled parts including LED lighting, smoke chamber, baffle, piston, belt, rotor, ashtray, tube, IR sensor, cigarette collection hatch, collection bin, and non-slip ground plate.

Mod. 1.1
Ext. sides

Top view of the smoke signals machine, showing the non-slip base plate with the text 'RÖK HÄR' around the perimeter.

Mod. 1.2
Ext. top

Top view of the smoke signals machine, showing the non-slip base plate with the text 'RÖK HÄR' around the perimeter.

10.29.2025

Version 1.0

Smoke
Signals

In use at möllevångstorget, Malmö

External meas's:
3200x2400x2400 mm
Weight:
422 kg
Color:
Signal blue (RAL 5005)
Placement:
Möllevångstorget, Malmö
Capacity:
3000 cigarette butts

Mod. 1.4
Ext. environment and scale

a labeled side view showing the inside of the smoke signal machine, labels include 'LED light ring, smoke chamber, baffle, piston, non slip ground plate, etc.'

Mod. 1.4
Ext. environment and scale

a side view showing the front and back of the smoke signals machine

Mod. 1.4
Ext. environment and scale

Top view of the smoke signals machine showing the non-slip baseplate with cut out text that reads 'RÖK HÄR'
An image of the number '3'

proximity

The distance to the ashtray is crucial — place the intervention exactly where the problem occurs.

Stack of square blue and white coasters with 'Följ rökringen till rökningen' on a blue background and a smoke ring in the center.

Messaging at the point of decision

Posters and coasters placed in venues surrounding the focus area, reaching smokers before they step outside for a smoke with an inviting messaging and the same visual language as the installations on the street.


Follow the smoke ring to the smoking.
A signal for where you discard your cigarette butts in Möllan.

Stack of square blue and white coasters with 'Följ rökringen till rökningen' on a blue background and a smoke ring in the center.

Follow the smoke ring to the smoking.
A signal for where you discard your cigarette butts in Möllan.

Swedish anti-smoking poster with white text 'Följ rökringen till rökningen' on a blue background and a smoke ring in the center.Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'Anti-smoking poster with a smoke ring against a blue sky, the text reads 'FÖLJ RÖKRINGEN TILL RÖKNINGEN'
people walking by the smoke signals machine at night

9 out of 10
smokers followed
the smoke signals
– and chose the
ashtrays.

144%

more smokers dicarded their cigarette correctly.

17,2oo

cigarette butts were collected in total during only 7 weeks.

68,8oo

SEK in potential savings resulting from reduced cigarette butt clean-up costs.

17,2oo,ooo

liters of water protected from microplastics, heavy metals and cancerous chemicals.