Chapter 9 – Smoking Prevention and Intervention in Asian American Communities: A Case Study

1. Chapter 9 – Smoking Prevention and Intervention in Asian American Communities: A Case Study

2. Cigarette smoking continues to be the most prevalent form of substance abuse, as well as the leading preventable cause of death for all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. today • Smoking rates have remained either constant of have increased among some ethnic minority populations, especially among Asian Americans Smoking and Asian Americans Health • Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) constitute one of the fastest growing racial-ethnic groups in the U.S. • They are least informed about tobacco use and health • Asian males have the highest smoking rates

3. The Social and Cultural Role in Smoking • Tobacco has had a very negative effect on the health of Asian communities • Smoking plays a big social and cultural role • The marketing strategies (to Asians) use this role as a medium to promote its product • Cigarette smoking is so common in Asian countries it is considered a “social lubricant” • Among certain male groups in China, having a cigarette after a meal is “having a life superior to that of God” • Cambodians believe that every monk attain manhood through smoking • Asian culture do not allow women to smoke • Older Asian women however violate this norm (as a sign of their maturity) • Rare for an Asian women to smoke under age 45 • Asian positive view of smoking mask the smokers’ perceptions of risk factors: 1. heart disease 2. cancer 3. other chronic conditions

4. Economic Issues in Tobacco Control • Cigarette retailing is a profitable business that attracts Asians particularly new arrivals in the U.S. Tobacco Industry • The tobacco industry has long targeted ethnic minorities, especially Asians • Marketing Strategies used that were once used with mainstream America (Athletes smoking – wealthy smoking) • Two large research projects going on (one in Ohio and a second one in Philadelphia) – Cancer Awareness Programs

5. The ATE Program for Asian Americans: A Case Study • See pages 175-179 (11 goals) • Reduce risk of cancer (risk behaviors) • Tobacco Control and Preemptive Programs • Share research findings, experiences, and cancer awareness activities regionally and nationally Target Population • Asians in the Delaware Valley (of Pennsylvania and New Jersey) ATECAR Model • See pages 177-179 • Three Phase Project • Formation of a Steering Committee • Formation of the Asian community cancer coalition (ACCC) and partnership network • Comprehensive needs assessment study

6. Community-Based Prevention and Intervention Programs • See pages 180-182 • (12) Twelve various programs Evaluation Research • Evaluation is an integral part of the ATECAR model • Process evaluation allows early detection of problems associated with implementation so proper adjustments can be made early in the performance of an activity Professional Training and Educations • Training Asian junior researchers • Training also available to community health practitioners and partners

7. Research Dissemination and Utilization • Dissemination and the sharing of research findings and overall experience in program development, administration, and evaluation is another unique goal of ATECAR • See page 184 Summary and Implications • Education in the Asian communities in tobacco use and cessation is a long-term process. It requires close monitoring as well as resiliency in the application of prevention, intervention and cessation strategies • Education does not end with a good beginning

8. Community-Based Prevention and Intervention Programs • See pages 180-182 • (12) Twelve various programs Evaluation Research • Evaluation is an integral part of the ATECAR model • Process evaluation allows early detection of problems associated with implementation so proper adjustments can be made early in the performance of an activity Professional Training and Educations • Training Asian junior researchers • Training also available to community health practitioners and partners