No Smoking Sign

[Osborne]

So here in the fascist state of Ohio, I am required to place signs on my building indicating a) that smoking is prohibited and b) the health department number to report violations.

Are there any imaginative people out there with good ideas for a sign that complies with the regulation but also gives a nice big middle finger to the state?

[sillyperson]

gives a nice big middle finger to the state?

I think you just answered your own question
Seriously, though, your customers might not appreciate the middle finger on display.

The BEST, most EFFECTIVE middle finger you could possibly give, will take only a few minutes of your time.

Simply sit down and write an open letter. Explain, in a few sentences, that your business is your own private property. Explain that while you invite the public to be your clients, ultimately YOU pay the bills. Explain that the State of Ohio has lost sight of this fact, and that the State now sees fit to dictate in minute detail exactly how your building should be run, and indeed threatens you if you do not comply. Explain that you understand that once the notion of "private property" is so utterly abandoned, anyone familiar with 20th century history should rightly fear for ALL of their freedoms.

Explain that because of all of the above, you are freely taking your business and MOVING IT to New Hampshire, where thousands of others who, like yourself, respect private property and individual freedoms are gathering. As such you will be away from the power-mad Ohio bureaucracy.

Then go and sign the First 1000 pledge:
http://freestateproject.org/first1000

[Osborne]

We're working on doing just that, though we will have to maintain a presence here to service our Ohio clients.

[Hittman]

If you're running an entertainment business, like a tavern or a restaurant, and you've cultivated a smoking clientele, your business is now dead anyway. 

[Osborne]

Luckily not. We are an account-receivables management firm. Other than the fact that I installed an air filtration system and walk-in humidor in my office this year, my business is not directly affected.

[sillyperson]

Other than the fact that I installed an air filtration system and walk-in humidor in my office this year, my business is not directly affected.

Let's see, the government that required you to put up the sign, did they at least pay for these niceties that that are *demanding* you install?

Fine, you have a business and want a presence in Ohio, play by their rules. Understandable.
Like I said, put up their sign just like you installed the filtration system.

Be as vocal and public as possible about the fact that you personally are leaving the state, because of the crazy regulations and oppressive rules. Put it in letters to the editor. Call in to local talk shows. Put some FSP literature up in your office next to the sign; there are plenty available for downloading at:
http://freestateproject.org/volunteer/downloads

Don't bother fighting this fight in Ohio; it ain't worth the effort.
Come ASAP to NH, where:
a) there's no such rule to fight against, and
b) when there are rules to fight against, you will NOT be fighting them alone!

[Johnny_]

Put a sign above it that says:

"State Law Requires this Sign:"

It's not exactly snarky, but at least you can let people know that it wasn't your choice without doing something that might piss off customers.

[Osborne]

I kind of like the bureaucrash slogan, "Smoking is healthier than fascism."

Another take might be, "Your fascism kills more babies than my tobacco."

[fickenbaisage]

So here in the fascist state of Ohio, I am required to place signs on my building indicating a) that smoking is prohibited and b) the health department number to report violations.

Are there any imaginative people out there with good ideas for a sign that complies with the regulation but also gives a nice big middle finger to the state?

Are there any specific requirements for the sign? I suggest using pencil and draw it as ugly as possible. Or just put it somewhere hidden behind a tall office plant or something.

[Osborne]

Yeah, I'm more interested in having people see something clever that will stick with them and maybe think about the fact that they have created a sick society that has no concept of property rights. It would also be nice to be able to pass out such signs to other businesses to use as well.

[fickenbaisage]

Yeah, I'm more interested in having people see something clever that will stick with them and maybe think about the fact that they have created a sick society that has no concept of property rights. It would also be nice to be able to pass out such signs to other businesses to use as well.

How about a normal sign, to quote your original idea, with a middle finger under it?

[Taors]

Yeah, I'm more interested in having people see something clever that will stick with them and maybe think about the fact that they have created a sick society that has no concept of property rights. It would also be nice to be able to pass out such signs to other businesses to use as well.

How about a normal sign, to quote your original idea, with a middle finger under it?

I don't think he wants to drive customers away.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

The gentleman was being figurative.

[sillyperson]

Yeah, I'm more interested in having people see something clever that will stick with them and maybe think about the fact that they have created a sick society that has no concept of property rights. It would also be nice to be able to pass out such signs to other businesses to use as well.

I do hope you put some FSP flyers nearby.
It's one thing to raise awareness... it's another thing to give people an easy way to DO SOMETHING about it

[Gustav]

If you put a middle figure under the sign its going to look like your flipping off the smokers not the gvmt. I like the  "your facism kills more babies than my tobacco".