Smoking in Greece
In Greece, smoking is legal but subject to a range of regulations applied on tobacco products. Cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products under national law and are legally permitted for sale and use with some restricions. They can be purchased in retail outlets; however, online purchasing and sales through vending machines are not permitted. The importation of cigarettes for trade is allowed with a proper license. Health warnings on cigarette packaging are mandatory, the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years, and there are legal restrictions on smoking in public places. An excise value of 35.87% and a total taxation rate of 81.22% are applied on cigarettes in Greece. Despite these regulatory measures, smoking remains a daunting public health concern in Greece. In 2024, there were approximately 2.4 million current smokers in the country, corresponding to an adult current smoking prevalence of 27.5%. This prevevalence was reported to be 29.6% in 2022. Smoking prevalence was higher among males (32.5%) than among females (22.8%) in 2024. In 2023, the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was reported to be 33.1%. In 2021, smoking led to an estimated 19,854 deaths in Greece, including 14,975 deaths among males and 4,878 among females. Overall, smoking accounted for 13.81% of all deaths in the country, including 20.17% of male deaths and 7.02% of female deaths. These figures highlight the substantial health burden associated with cigarette smoking in Greece.
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March 19, 2026 by greekcitytimes.com
Greece Cracks Down on Underage Tobacco and Alcohol Sales
Greece is intensifying efforts to combat the illegal sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors through stricter enforcement measures. Authorities are introducing tougher penalties and increasing inspections to ensure retailers comply with age restrictions. The crackdown also includes new monitoring tools and closer cooperation between law enforcement and regulatory bodies. Officials emphasize that reducing youth access to nicotine and alcohol is a key priority for improving public health outcomes. Overall, the initiative reflects a stronger, more proactive approach to preventing underage consumption and addiction.
March 19, 2026 by euronews.com
Greece launches digital age verification system to curb tobacco and alcohol sales to minors
Greece has introduced a new digital system to verify the age of customers purchasing tobacco and alcohol, aiming to better enforce existing laws banning sales to minors. The initiative is part of a broader government effort to close loopholes that previously allowed retailers to avoid responsibility when selling to underage individuals. The system is integrated into the country’s digital infrastructure and is inspired by EU standards for online age verification, making it one of the first real-world implementations of this approach in Europe. Authorities say it will simplify inspections and make it easier to impose fines on those who break the law. Overall, the move reflects a growing trend of using digital tools to strengthen public health policies and protect minors.
July 04, 2025 by euronews.com
Greece passes law to jail people for selling alcohol or tobacco to children
The Greek parliament has passed a new law to protect minors from smoking and alcohol. The legislation includes strict age verification for sales, bans smoking in certain public areas, and limits advertising. Violations—such as selling tobacco or alcohol to minors or employing them in bars—can result in fines up to €10,000 and up to three years in prison. The law is broad in scope and introduces strong penalties to ensure compliance.
May 01, 2025 by vapingpost.com
Don’t Let History Repeat: Greece Warned Against Flavour Ban Mistake
Consumer groups and vaping advocates in Europe oppose Greece's plan to ban flavoured e-cigarettes, fearing it will harm harm reduction efforts. They argue that flavours help smokers switch to safer options and caution against unintended consequences seen in Denmark. The ban risks driving former smokers back to cigarettes and the black market. Data shows adult vapers prefer flavoured products. Experts recommend science-based regulations that protect public health while supporting harm reduction. In Denmark, a ban on vape flavours unintentionally increased youth use and spurred illegal sales. Critics warn against over-regulation and point to Sweden's harm reduction success. Research confirms flavoured vapes aid smoking cessation. Advocates call for evidence-based policies to safeguard gains in public health.
April 25, 2025 by greekcitytimes.com
Greece Considers Ban on Flavored E-Cigarettes
Greece's conservative government plans to ban flavored alternative tobacco products, excluding natural tobacco and mint. The legislation aims to restrict minors' access to alcohol and tobacco, eliminating popular flavors appealing to youth and potentially affecting 10,000 employees. The bill, nearing completion, faces challenges, like needing EU approval and criticism for possibly restricting adult consumers. Despite the high smoking rate, analysts support the focus on limiting underage access. The move aligns with ongoing EU discussions on revising tobacco laws amid the rise of alternative products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.
April 23, 2025 by euractiv.com
Greece mulls ban on flavoured e-cigarettes
Greece's conservative government is preparing a bill to ban all flavoured alternative tobacco products, except for natural tobacco and mint. Although Greece has typically resisted stricter regulations on these products, recent incidents involving underage alcohol consumption have strengthened the case for tougher measures. The draft law aims to limit minors’ access to tobacco and alcohol and would remove popular flavours like chocolate and watermelon from the market. This could impact around 10,000 jobs, including 2,000 specialized retailers. The bill is in its final consultation phase, but it’s still uncertain if the flavour ban will remain in the final version.
April 23, 2025 by greekreporter.com
Greece Set to Ban Teen-Friendly Flavoured E-Cigarettes
Greece is preparing a bill to ban all flavoured e-cigarettes and alternative tobacco products, aiming to make their sale out-of-reach for Greek teenagers. Under the draft law, flavours like biscuit, chocolate, watermelon, fruit and even whiskey, which are particularly popular among both teenagers and adults, would be pulled off the market, with only tobacco and mint flavours spared. The e-cigarette sector in Greece employs about 10,000 people, including 2,000 specialized retailers.
April 17, 2025 by worldvapersalliance.com
Greece: Flavour Ban Threatens Public Health Progress
Consumer advocates and vaping organizations warn against Greece's proposed ban on vape flavors, fearing it will reverse progress in reducing smoking rates. The ban could push adults back to smoking or the black market, ignoring evidence that flavors help smokers quit. Advocates urge policymakers to prioritize harm reduction, engage with experts, and consider evidence-based regulations to protect youth without penalizing adult smokers.
March 06, 2025 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Dr Farsalinos
Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, a researcher in Greece, criticizes a study claiming vaping is more harmful than smoking. He supports vaping as a safer alternative, citing a study with 17,973 patients that shows switching reduces cardiac risks. Farsalinos emphasizes vaping benefits for heart health and challenges misconceptions about nicotine's cardiovascular risks. His insights question recent studies equating vaping with smoking risks, suggesting they will be debunked. The study reveals challenges in smoking cessation, highlighting the importance of promoting vaping as a harm-reduction tool for cardiovascular health.
November 07, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com
Greece Set to Boost Penalties for Youth Vape Sales
Greece plans to enforce stricter penalties for businesses selling alcohol, electronic cigarettes, and vaping products to minors. This initiative involves multiple ministries and aims to enhance alcohol laws. Offenders may face imprisonment, fines, and business closure. Authorities noticed past oversights regarding minors' access to harmful products. Changes include increased law enforcement and tougher regulations to safeguard minors.
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