You'll Need

• Megaphones 
• Posters and Markers 
• Sound Equipment 
• Podium 
• Permit - check with local authorities

Instructions

Before the Event:

• Choose a theme: Establish a planning team and pick a theme for your rally. Is there a tobacco tax increase proposal in your state? Are advocates still fighting for smoke-free workplaces? Contact us to see what’s going on in your state, and how you can help. 
• Choose your location: Rallies should be held in high traffic areas, like outside a legislative building or downtown. Once you decide on a location, apply for a permit through your town. Also, if you need transportation, start planning what means of transportation you will use and how you will pay for it. 
• Identify and recruit partners: Every good rally needs lots of participants. Seek partners to increase your number of participants, share in the cost of your event, and help with logistics. 
• Choose speakers: Find youth or policymakers who are passionate about tobacco use, and invite them to speak. Make sure they are prepared to support your issue/theme. 
• Recruit participants: Create a Facebook event, pass out flyers, and publicize your rally. 
• Create a rally schedule: Map out where your rally will be held and what time each of the speakers will go. 
• Develop your messaging: Now that you have a theme, come up with some chants or other appropriate messaging for youth to use at the rally. 
• Send invitations: Invite elected officials, the media, decision-makers and other stakeholders in your community. 
• Contact the media and make sure they know what you are doing, where you will be, and what time you will be there. 

During the Event:

• Upload photos and videos to social media with the hashtag #TakeDownTobacco 

After the Event:

• Contact the media again! Be sure to send a press release and photos to any media outlets who didn’t show up.