In brief
More than a decade after implementing a smoking ban, Greece continues to grapple with high smoking rates, defying both indoor regulations and proposed outdoor restrictions by the European Union.
In Greece, one of the European nations with the highest smoking prevalence, indoor public smoking is still prevalent, even 14 years following the enactment of a ban. This ongoing issue reflects a defiance of public health regulations, which are currently facing pressure from the European Union to expand smoking restrictions to outdoor areas as part of their vision for a tobacco-free generation by 2040. Despite being monitored and reported on by the European Commission, which noted that tobacco-related illnesses accounted for approximately one-fifth of deaths in Greece in 2019, the smoking habits of Greeks remain largely unchanged, with over a third of citizens participating in the habit—second only to Bulgaria in the EU.The smoking ban introduced in 2010 helped reduce indoor smoking; however, enforcement issues persisted. A stricter law was introduced in 2019, instituting fines of €100 (approximately $105) for individuals who smoked indoors and hefty penalties of up to €10,000 for violators among businesses. Complaints can be lodged via a dedicated hotline.Stathis Papachristou, a psychologist connected to the National Public Health Organization's smoking cessation program, explains that loopholes in enforcement empower smokers to disregard the bans. The challenge remains in transforming Greece from a smoking culture to one that prioritizes public health and welfare.
