The New South Wales (NSW) Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) is considering an offer by Philip Morris to fund an interactive CD-ROM to educate young people on the dangers of substance abuse such as drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Recent surveys have shown that Australians have been quitting the smoking habit in large numbers in the last five years. Yet, Aboriginal communities have the largest percentage of smokers.

A report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released in August said that the number of regular smokers in Australia aged 14 and above has fallen to 19.5 percent of the population, compared to 28 percent in 1990.

However, in the remote Northern Territories of the continent, where most Aboriginal communities are located, the smoking rate is above 27 percent.

Smoking-related illnesses

A report released in May by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) seemed to confirm this, saying the prevalence rate for smoking in many indigenous communities was approximately 54 percent, while in some communities it is as high as 80 percent.

In launching the report, NACCHO Chairperson Pat Andersen said smoking related illnesses are associated with almost 60 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander deaths.

''We need action now. Communities are ready to act, but lack resources. Many of our people have tried to quit but do not have the support," she said.

Philip Morris, it seems, is now offering that support. But the offer of over A$70,000 (US$38,100) runs contrary to government regulations that ban tobacco company sponsorship of school or educational activities.

If they accept the tobacco firm's money, the AECG may be in breach of these government regulations.

The Aboriginal group's president Charles Davison said the government ban would not stop them from going ahead with the plan, saying the AECG was independent of the Department of Education and that they could distribute the CD-ROM through Aboriginal youth and community groups.

'Cynical exercise'

Anti-smoking non-governmental organisation Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) chief executive Anne Jones dismissed Philip Morris's offer as a ''cynical exercise'' in trying to improve their corporate image, while at the same time marketing their products to these vulnerable groups.

''(They) appear as if doing good work, at the same time marketing lethal and illegal products, that have caused major health problems in Aboriginal communities,'' she said on ABC Radio.

Kevin Donnelly, a Melbourne consultant contracted by Philip Morris to promote its projects in the Asia-Pacific region said the company has spent over A$500,000 (US$272,150) in the region in assisting to produce ''educational'' kits.

Under Donnelly's supervision, Philip Morris funded a school-based workshop programme I've Got the Power last year. It was abandoned after strong opposition from health and education professionals, who were concerned that tobacco-sponsored events would serve to promote the company.

Earlier this month, ASH warned that Donnelly has now focused his attention on one of the poorest countries in the region — Laos