The Asian Tobacco Education, Cancer Awareness and Research's role in tobacco and cancer control efforts in Asian American communities.

Purpose: This article identifies the urgent needs for tobacco and cancer control in Asian American communities and the barriers that have historically prevented the development and implementation of tobacco and cancer prevention and intervention research programs among Asian Americans residing in Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This article also presents ATECAR, the first long-term federal effort in tobacco and cancer control targeting the multi-ethnic Asian American communities in this area.

Methods: ATECAR uses a three-pronged approach: the development of community and university infrastructure, the development of training programs for minority and underserved students so that they will pursue cancer research careers, and community-based intervention research projects.

Principal findings: ATECAR's pioneering work redefined our understanding of Asian Americans' smoking habits and the important role of smoking, especially in newly immigrated communities.

Conclusion: The advent of ATECAR marks the building of a viable infrastructure that can ensure sustainability of current and future efforts in tobacco control and use.