1303 fuel vapor trap-Do I need it?

[Uber Affe]

Talkin' 'bout the little plastic thingy with the 4 hose connections that sits above the fuel tank in my '74 1303. Do I need it? Can I replace it? I hate it.
Is there something else i can use in its place or some viable (modern) method of dealing with the problem? It is old and every time I've replaced it (with another old one) It ends up being the same thing. Stinks like gas and it just seems like there's no good replacement. What do you guys do?
Just want to keep that whole area clean.

Help!