The people who brought you approved moves for dancing grannies are now seeking public input on an official hand signal to be used for citizen enforcement of yet another Beijing smoking ban.

As we noted Monday, the smoking ban is set to go into effect on June 1 throughout the city. The last time a comprehensive city-wide smoking ban was implemented in Beijing, on May 1, 2008, it lasted about four days. This time, individuals are set to be fined RMB 200, and establishments that do not address smoking could be slapped with a RMB 10,000 penalty for violations.

Part of the campaign involves establishing an official hand signal to that concerned members of the public can use against smokers. Three images have been put forward as choices. Let’s take a look:

1. What it’s supposed to mean: “I am bothered by your smoke.”

What we think it means: It looks like a cast member from The Mikado covering her mouth as she laughs.
 

2. What it’s supposed to mean: “Please stop smoking.”

What we think it means: You’re in time out, mister. Either that or, your kung-fu is pretty good. But mine is better. Ha ha. Ha ha ha ha.
 

3. What it’s supposed to mean: “Smoking is not allowed here.”

What we think it means: Talk to the hand, smoker man.
 

Now here are three images we think illustrate how well the new ban will succeed:

“To which sign are you referring, exactly?”
 

“I couldn’t see that sign, it was behind me.”
 

“That sign only refers to the other table.”

We’re looking forward to June 1.

Images: China Daily, CityLab, WBUR, World’s Best Site