A workshop to cut smoking amongst the Turkish community has been held.

Smoking among people of Turkish descent is three times greater than the national average.

The workshop, at the Dugdale Centre, in London Road, Enfield, looked into why smoking was so high and how it can be stopped.

Dr Mick Ozkar, consultant cardiologist at the North Middlesex Hospital, started the workshop by talking about the dangers of smoking and Ufuc Genc, one of the council’s stop smoking service’s advisors, spoke about what is already happening in the borough. 

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, said: “This research is both shocking and frightening and we want to find the best way to get our messages across. Smoking is often a cultural and social activity among Turkish communities.

“However, I am determined that we look at all ways of getting messages across that will support people not to start smoking or persuade people to stop. Whether it is for health, financial or social reasons web must promote messages that will convince the Turkish community as much as they have already reached other communities.”