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Ideas for Your Installation
Join Our Great American Smokeout
19 November 2009
Ideas for Your Installation
If you are thinking about supporting the 2009 Great American Smokeout, we’ve got plenty of ideas to get you started. Whether you are hosting an event for the first time or simply looking for new ideas to add to your annual plan, you’ve come to the right place. Combine these ideas to create a winning combination for your installation!
Host a Run
Call it a Turkey Trot, 5k, or whatever you like—but an organized walk/run event is a great way to get smokers and nonsmokers together and bring recognition to your cessation programs. If you already have a Thanksgiving run in place, start linking it to the Great American Smokeout ASAP!
Have a Raffle
For those participating in the Great American Smokeout by quitting, running, or supporting a quitter, enter participants’ names in a raffle for fun prizes. Everyone loves a free turkey around Thanksgiving, and you can also reach out to local businesses for prize donations.
Adopt a Quitter
Friends and family of smokers are always looking for a way to help those they care about to quit. The Great American Smokeout is the perfect time to put those who are quitting for the day in touch with a support system to help them though it. Who knows? That support could lead to a quit that lasts a lifetime!
Trade In and Trade Up
For those who are quitting for the day, offer a trade-in for their smokes, chew, and lighters. You can exchange them for sugar-free candy or use them as admission to special events for the evening, like a pizza and movie party.
Make Survival Kits
Quitting is no joke, even for just a day. Arm your Great American Smokeout participants with Quit Kits to help them through the day. Include gum, mints, healthy snacks, and information about how to start quitting and get through those cravings.
Set Up a Booth (or four)
Be visible! Just because someone hasn’t signed up in advance, it doesn’t mean they won’t participate on November 19. Set up booths and information tables installationwide. This is not only a great way to meet more constituents and get them involved, but it’s a great way to spread the message about your cessation services. Don’t forget, you can hand out our materials at your booth and customize materials to post around base!
Feed a Quitter
Most participants who are quitting for the day are going cold turkey—so why not reward them with cold turkey sandwiches? They will need something to keep them occupied, and a healthy cold turkey sandwich is a great reward. And if the weather is already cold enough, how about a warm turkey chili or stew to warm up participants? Be creative!