No Smoking Signs in Kenya: Where to Put Them and Which to Choose
A clear no-smoking sign saves you from awkward conversations. It tells staff, customers and visitors the rules before they light up, and it shows that your premises take health and safety seriously. This guide explains where to place no-smoking signs, which material and size to pick, and how to decide on English or bilingual wording.
A note on the rules
Kenya has laws and regulations on smoking in public places and on workplace safety. The details, including exactly where signs must go and what they should say, can change and may depend on the type of premises. Before you finalise your signage, check the current requirements with your county public health office or county fire officer, and review your obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007 and the tobacco control rules that apply to your business. If you have a safety officer or a building manager, involve them too.
This guide covers the practical side: getting signs that are clear, durable and well placed.
Where to put no-smoking signs
Think about every point where someone might decide to light up. Common places include:
- Main entrances – the first thing people see when they walk in
- Reception and waiting areas
- Corridors, stairwells and lifts
- Washrooms – a place people sometimes try to smoke unnoticed
- Kitchens, stores and workshops, especially near flammable materials
- Near fuel, gas cylinders and generators
- Hotel rooms, guest areas and restaurants
- Shops, supermarkets and banking halls
- Vehicles and company buses
- Parking areas and loading bays, where it fits your premises' rules
If you have a designated smoking area, mark it clearly too. People follow rules more easily when they know where they can go.
Choosing a material
All-Pod's no-smoking signs come in three materials:
- Self-adhesive vinyl – a sticker that goes on glass doors, walls, tiles and smooth surfaces. Quick to apply and ideal for doors, washrooms, lifts and vehicles.
- 3mm PVC – a rigid, lightweight board. Can be screwed, glued or fixed with double-sided tape. Good for walls, corridors and most indoor spaces.
- ACP (aluminium composite panel) – the toughest option, with a premium finish. Best for outdoor areas, parking, entrances and high-traffic places where signs get knocked.
Quick guide: vinyl for glass and smooth surfaces, PVC for most indoor walls, ACP for outdoors and heavy use.
Choosing a size
Sizes available are A5, A4 and 30x10cm.
- A5 – for doors, washroom cubicles, lifts, desks and vehicles, where people see the sign up close.
- A4 – for walls, corridors, receptions and entrances, where people may see the sign from a few metres away.
- 30x10cm – a long, narrow format that fits above doors, along corridors and on narrow wall spaces.
Tip: The further away people will be, the bigger the sign should be. Walk to where a visitor would stand and check that the sign is easy to read.
English or bilingual?
You can choose English or bilingual with "Usivute Sigara".
- English only works for offices and corporate premises where everyone reads English comfortably.
- Bilingual is better for shops, matatu stages, hotels, hospitals, factories, construction sites and public buildings where visitors come from all walks of life. It makes the message clear to more people at a glance.
Fixing and maintenance tips
- Clean and dry the surface before sticking vinyl signs.
- Fix signs at eye level, or just above, so they are not hidden by furniture or people.
- Keep signs away from areas where they will be covered by doors when open.
- Check signs regularly and replace any that are faded, peeling or damaged.
- Keep the look consistent across the building so signs are easy to recognise.
Final checklist
- Requirements confirmed with your county officer and OSHA 2007 guidance
- List of locations walked and noted
- Material: vinyl, PVC or ACP
- Size: A5, A4 or 30x10cm
- Language: English or bilingual
Keep your premises clear and safe. Order your no-smoking signs on All-Pod and we will deliver them anywhere in Kenya.