Please don't smoke in a non-smoking car

British Second World War poster depicting a man smoking in a non-smoking railway carriage. The 'no smoking' sign on wall has eyes looking at him. This is one of a series of posters by Cyril Kenneth Bird (1887-1965) that focus on public manners and social customs. Bird, who was a Punch cartoonist, took on the 'Fougasse' pseudonym in the First World War, after the French term for a small land mine 'which might or might not hit the mark'. His approach to the propaganda poster was based on overcoming three obstacles. He wrote:

'Firstly, a general aversion to reading any notice of any sort; secondly, a general disinclination to believe that any notice, even if it was read, can possibly be addressed to oneself; thirdly, a general unwillingness even so to remember the message long enough to do anything about it.'

In overcoming these obstacles, Fougasse used a simple approach: humour, simple stylisation and the uncomplicated communication of messages.

This British Second World War poster is one of a series produced to inspire patriotism in citizens through inspirational depictions of military operations.

This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government.