MasterShake, I wanted to send that sign to a pro choice smokers newspaper, but it's not there any more. Do you have it elsewhere on the web?
But I say if you wanna give a middle finger to the state, don't put up any sign and let people smoke in your restaurant if you want too.
When the state comes to fine you, tell them it's your business and if you wanna let people smoke in it it's your own damn decision.
I know people who have tried that.
They're all out of business.
These rules are enforced by the health department. Normally, they show up once a year and write you up for violations. (There are so many rules it's not possible to be in compliance with them.) Then they show up a week later, verify that you've corrected everything on your list, and vanish until next year.
Unless you piss them off. Then they'll be in your place every single day, usually during your busiest times, looking for gnat shit in the pepper. They will ruin your business, and sooner or later (probably sooner) shut it down.
And that goes double when they're on a holy jihad, like stopping smoking.
I still wouldnt do it. I wouldnt pay the fines then take them to court and say that you own the business and have the right to let people smoke if you want too.
Go for it. Start a business, pour your heart and soul into it, invest more than you can afford in it, build it up, and then do that. Let us know how it works out, OK?