We all acknowledge door signs in public spaces as important wayfinding and navigation elements. Indeed, they help to identify specific rooms and navigate around different areas of a big building.
However, what we shouldn’t also forget is that information signs are as important as directional ones. Good prohibition signs, for example, will clearly set the rules for all the visitors, informing them on what shouldn’t be done to preserve a safe and comfortable environment. The Bsign store offers a bunch of different types of prohibition signs but today we will focus on anti-smoking plaques.
Why Smoking is Prohibited in Most Public Spaces
The purpose of smoking prohibition signs is very clear — they ensure adherence to the legal smoking ban. However, have you ever considered why this ban is so important and relevant in most public spaces? The first aim of smoking prohibition signs in public spaces is to reduce smoking rates. This is especially relevant to workplaces where the reduced rate of smoking can enhance the productivity of employees.
Also, smoking restrictions in hospitals, supermarkets, shopping malls, educational institutions, and other public places ensure a healthier environment for all individuals. It has been proven that lower smoking rates contribute to the general improvement in public health. So this practice shouldn’t be neglected from the social point of view as well.
For How Long Smoking Prohibition Signs Have Been Used
Smoking prohibition signs have probably existed since the very first ban on smoking in a public space. We can call it a pretty initiative since the earliest restriction on smoking was imposed in 1575 by the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico. In other countries, churches also became the first public spaces with smoking bans, as these initiatives were supported by Pope Urban VII and Pope Urban VIII in 1590 and 1624 respectively.
As for civil public spaces, the first known smoking restriction was imposed by King James VI in 1604. It was stated in a special treatise under the title “A Counterblast to Tobacco”. As for the US, the first initiative that banned smoking in almost all public spaces was issued by the authority of the Minnesota state in 1975.
Modern Requirements for Smoking Prohibition Signs
Obviously, modern smoking prohibition signs look different from what was used in public spaces during the first bans in the time of Pope Urban VII. So how do they look today and which visual characteristics they should feature to fully execute their key functions and remind people about the public smoking ban?
- Clear pictograms: The easiest way to inform about the smoking ban is to put a plate with a cigarette symbol in a red prohibitory crossed-out circle. Simple and clear pictograms communicate the necessary in a simple and understandable manner.
- ADA compliance: Smoking ban signs contribute to the safety of the public space. That’s why they should be understandable to all visitors, regardless of their physical disabilities. In today’s conditions, it’s ensured through contrasting colors, raised characters, and Braille fonts.
- Proper placement: If the sign is placed too low or too high it won’t be visible for the visitors and consequently, they won’t be aware of the restriction to smoking.
Other Types of Prohibition Signs
A single smoking sign isn’t enough to ensure the complete comfort and safety of a public space. You should design a wholesome safety system equipped with other information and prohibition signs, like “No Roof Access”, “Staff Only”, “No Litter”, “No Pets”, “No Soliciting”, “No Food” signs, and others.