Roy Castle's 'Fag Ends'
Comes to Knowsley: Reducing Smoking Prevalence in North West England

Abstract

The city of Knowsley has a smoking prevalence rate which exceeds the UK national average and contributes to significant health inequalities in the area.

To tackle this, a unique partnership was established in 2006 between NHS Knowsley, Knowsley Council (the local governing body), and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation's 'FagEnds' stop smoking service.

The 'Fag Ends' stop smoking service offers community-based support on a drop-in basis. By avoiding the need to make an appointment, hosting support groups within local communities, and using local community members to deliver cessation services, it offers a service that is convenient, approachable and non-intimidating. It also provides Nicotine Replacement Therapy and support via a website and telephone support line, to allow individuals to customize the level of support they receive according to their wants and needs.

The program receives £1 million ($1.4 million US) per annum for 5 years.

Between October 2006 and March 2007, 2,719 smokers accessed the service. There were 2,324 successful 4-week quitters through the service from 2007 to 2008. 2007-2008 national league tables (which rank Primary Care Trusts, or PCTs, by performance against national targets) show more people have quit in Knowsley than anywhere else in England. NHS Knowsley leads England's 152 PCTs with more people per capita who have successfully quit smoking and results which are almost twice the national average.