Stop smoking support using the Fag Ends model of rolling groups
Miriam Bell, Stop Smoking Service Manager, Roy Castle Fag Ends, Liverpool, UK and Paul Steele, Stop Smoking Service Manager, Roy Castle Fag Ends, Liverpool, UK

Abstract
In 1999 Roy Castle Fag Ends Rolling Programme was commissioned by Liverpool as the specialist stop smoking service funded by Liverpool PCT. Over the last nine years the rolling programme has been constantly successful. We believe this model is the most effective way of delivering the stop smoking service, by breaking down as many barriers as possible, reaching out to and putting the clients’ needs first. 

This model of delivery is not alternative rather the foundation on which we stand and have achieved and exceeded our targets year after year. The success of Fag Ends Rolling Programme in Liverpool was a contributing factor in the decision by Knowsley PCT to commission our service, was launched in Knowsley in October 2006.

Jointly we have 96 community open rolling groups operating to our model, plus a number of one to one sessions running every week. The service results for the first two quarters of 2007/08: Liverpool (population 447,500), number setting a quit date = 6,844, number of 4-week quitters n = 3,013, quit rate = 44%, number of 4-week per 100,000 population = 841; Knowsley (population 151,300), number setting a quit date = 2,899, number of 4-week quitters = 1,413, quit rate = 49%, number of 4-week per 100,000 population = 1,179.