ABSTRACT

In the year 2008, 5.4 million people died due to smoking related diseases in the World, while 100.000 people died in our country. This number probably will reach to 8 million until 2030. One of the most important tobacco control strategies is youth tobacco prevention. Public health education is one of the most effective antismoking activities. Sports is the best activity for mental and body growth for health and its conductance especially for youth. 19th May, Atatürk Commemoration and Youth and Sports Day, was supposed to be a good opportunity for youth about anti-smoking education and sports promotion. A group of the Faculty of Education students organized the 19th May parade. A medical doctor specialized in tobacco control and an education scientist with a group of students conducted a parade cortege for presenting various banners, costumes and bills. Then verbal and written information was gathered about the activity from students, organizers, local mass media and public in the stadium. The reaction of public was evaluated as positive. Students and organizers were pleased to make such activity. The activity was placed in the local press positively. We think that this activity with a little cost is very useful for public, especially youth health education against smoking.