In March 2026, WHO AFRO deepened its partnership with the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer to boost tobacco control across Africa. Since 2014, this collaboration has trained over 50 lawyers from the WHO African Region, equipping them with the skills to craft and defend strong tobacco control laws. These legal experts have been instrumental in defending national legislation in Uganda and Kenya against tobacco industry challenges.
The most recent development took place from March 23–27, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia, when WHO AFRO organized an Advanced Workshop on Law and Tobacco Control. The five-day event brought together 40 legal and public health professionals from the global south, including five from Africa, who participated in in-depth discussions on complex issues such as the regulation of e-cigarettes, addressing tobacco industry interference, and enforcing tobacco control in digital spaces. WHO AFRO experts also led discussions on key areas like global tobacco control strategies and the enforcement of tobacco laws.
The workshop resulted in several key outcomes, including the creation of a professional network of legal experts dedicated to supporting countries with tobacco control legislation and practical actions to enhance law enforcement. WHO AFRO experts also held discussions with African participants to identify tailored actions to accelerate the implementation and enforcement of tobacco laws in their countries.
This partnership continues to underscore the critical role of legal capacity in advancing tobacco control efforts, with a focus on helping countries implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and combat emerging challenges posed by new nicotine and tobacco products. By building stronger legal frameworks, the collaboration ensures that tobacco control measures can withstand industry interference and ultimately protect public health.
Written By Aren Karapetyan, MD