News and updates

Aligned with WHO’s World No Tobacco Day theme, “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” the McCabe Centre contributed to a range of initiatives across Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, working with key partners to strengthen tobacco control and protect communities. Read more >: World No Tobacco Day 2026: McCabe Centre’s global activities

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day this Sunday, we’re drawing urgent attention to the need for stronger, coordinated regulation of the tobacco industry worldwide. Read more >: World No Tobacco Day 2026: Unmasking the Appeal

Our Director, Hayley Jones, attended the IARC@60 conference in Lyon this week, where the new Legal Framework for Cancer Registries Toolkit was officially presented, marking an important step forward in supporting countries to build and strengthen population-based cancer registries. Read more >: New Toolkit Aims to Strengthen Legal Frameworks for Cancer Registries Worldwide

Yesterday on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly, the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer was proud to co-host a side event with UICC on building people-centred cancer systems— and to explore what it will take to better support people living with and beyond cancer, and those who care for them. Read more >: Building people-centred cancer systems: McCabe Centre & UICC side event for World Health Assembly week

The McCabe Centre’s focus on using law as a mechanism to improve outcomes for cancer patients resonated with my own values. I was eager to contribute to meaningful work on legal frameworks that impact access to care and learn more about areas for reform. Read more >: Reflections from our Melbourne Law School Intern: Caitlin Ilievski

As a coalition of health organisations, we highlight Australia’s global success in reducing smoking through strong public health policies—which is now at risk. In 2026, the tobacco industry is reasserting influence, and were granted a private hearing at a Federal Inquiry Read more >: Unmasking Big Tobacco: An Open Letter to Australians

In my undergraduate degree, I studied international politics and was drawn to the McCabe Centre’s global approach to using law to prevent and manage these diseases. I was particularly interested in their work in influencing policy and legislative change domestically and overseas. Read more >: Reflections from our Melbourne Law School Intern: Maeve Ryan

The world is not on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4, a one third reduction in premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 2030. Read more >: Using Law to tackle Noncommunicable Diseases: Why Capacity Building Matters

The McCabe Centre was proud to host its first Advanced Workshop on Law and Tobacco Control from 23–27 March 2026 in Melbourne, Australia, marking our return to face-to-face training in Melbourne for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more >: McCabe Centre hosts first face-to-face Advanced Workshop on Law and Tobacco Control since 2019

How do we accelerate progress on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health when the world is facing climate disruption, geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, and deepening inequities? Read more >: Accelerating action on NCDs and Mental Health in a time of overlapping crises

As today marks World Cancer Day, Cancer Council and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer are calling for government action to reduce the financial impact of cancer. It comes as new research reveals 98.8% of Australians diagnosed with cancer who were surveyed incur out-of-pocket expenses, even when accessing care in Australia’s public healthcare system. Read more >: World Cancer Day: New research reveals nearly all Australians diagnosed with cancer face out-of-pocket costs, prompting calls for stronger financial support

Exciting News! We’re proud to announce that The Cancer Registry Legislation Toolkit is now available! Developed by the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN), this important resource has just been released by IARC. Read more >: The Cancer Registry Legislation Toolkit is now available!

Just released: McCabe Centre and Cancer Council Victoria’s article is featured in Cancer Control 2025 on “What can tobacco control teach us about vested interests in food and nutrition?” Read more >: Cancer Control 2025 Report – What can tobacco control teach us about vested interests in food and nutrition?

2025 – what a big year! As we look back on an extraordinary 12 months, we want to extend our deepest thanks to our key partners and collaborators, for our collective achievements and defining moments this year. The progress we’ve seen this year is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment of everyone involved. As this year draws to a close, wherever you are in the world, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Read more >: Highlights for 2025

This week, we were in Geneva for the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the global treaty seeking to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco. Read more >: Global action on tobacco control at COP11