Activities Ideas

"Float" By Tobacco Use

Objective: To promote tobacco cessation services.

Materials: Materials to make a parade float, t-shirts, balloons, gum, lifesavers, and cessation materials.

Instructions: Sponsor a float in a community parade with the theme "Celebrating Freedom from Addiction." Staff the float with people (adults or teens) that have quit smoking.  Create t-shirts that say, "I’ve quit smoking. Ask me how." or "Quit Yet?".   These messages could also be used on balloons tied to the float and distributed to the crowd.  Gum and lifesavers can be distributed from the float (imagine tossing them into the crowd like Mardis Gras – but check with the parade organizers to make sure that’s OK first). People walking along the float can pass out cessation literature or the "Benefits of Quitting" card. (Contact the American Cancer Society to order).  Contact the media and pitch a story about your float, including testimonial interviews with smokers who have quit and cessation services available in your community.