Original Item. Only One Available. This is a really interesting 14½ x 9¾” metal sign prohibiting smoking in the immediate area from Germany during World War II. AH was heavily against smoking during the WWII period and actively encouraged anyone he met to stop smoking. This sign references a law passed in 1940 that created a fine for anyone caught smoking within the premises of the sign. The sign is in rough shape overall but retains the majority of its orange and yellow paint, but could use a good cleaning to remove the dirt and grime. The sign has four holes, one in each corner, for it to be mounted.

The sign reads

Rauchen
polizeilich verboten
Verstöße gegen dieses Verbot
werden polizeilich mit Geldstrafe
bis zu RM.150 - oder mit Haft bis zu
14 Tagen bestrait (Rderl.d.RMdJ.v.23.5.1940)

This roughly translates to

Smoking
Prohibited by the Police
Violations of this ban will result
In a Police fine of up to RM150 or
Imprisonment of up to 14 Days (Penal Code Reichsministry enacted on May 5th, 1940)

Smoking was a taboo topic in Germany during this period, and many laws were passed before and during World War II that prohibited it in certain places. In 1938, the Luftwaffe and the Reichspost imposed a ban on smoking. In 1939, the NSDAP outlawed smoking in all of its offices' premises. In 1941, tobacco smoking in trams was outlawed in sixty German cities. Smoking was also outlawed in bomb shelters; however, some shelters had separate rooms for smoking.

Special care was taken to prevent women from smoking. The President of the Medical Association in Germany announced, "German women don't smoke". Pregnant women and women below the age of 25 and over the age of 55 were not given tobacco ration cards during World War II. Restrictions on selling tobacco products to women were imposed on the hospitality and food retailing industry.

Restrictions were imposed on the advertisement of tobacco products, enacted on December 7, 1941, and signed by Heinrich Hunke, the President of the Advertising Council. Advertisements trying to depict smoking as harmless or as an expression of masculinity were banned. Ridiculing anti-tobacco activists was also outlawed, as was the use of advertising posters along rail tracks, in rural regions, stadiums, and racing tracks.

This is a phenomenal sign that outlines one of the most interesting movements in Germany during the 1930s and 40s. Ready for further research and display.