You can’t smoke here! Some observations of no-smoking signs in Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT

No-smoking signs communicate smoke-free rules to eliminate second-hand smoke and tobacco consumption. In this essay, I critically reflect on the presence, meanings, and context of no-smoking signs in public places in Bangkok, illustrated with photos of signs and accompanying commentary. Impressively, no-smoking signs were omnipresent in the city. However, unattractive designs, condescending messages, lack of language diversity and technological application, and smoking violations observed by the author all raise questions about whether they were noticed and acted upon. I call for an overhaul of no-smoking signs to curb the global tobacco epidemic and its devastating impact in cities.

KEYWORDS:

• Bangkok
• no-smoking sign
• tobacco control

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gareth Davey

Gareth Davey is a visiting professor in the Faculty of Professional Studies at the University of Bolton. His qualifications include a Master of Public Health (Global Health) from the University of Manchester, a Master of Health Psychology from the University of Ulster, and two doctorates. Previously, he was a faculty member at the Thailand Campus of Webster University. One of his main research interests is tobacco use in Asia, motivated by statistics on the high prevalence of tobacco-induced mortality and morbidity.