The Greek government’s decisions to restrict the use of alcohol and tobacco by minors have now been codified into national law. The bill titled ‘Protection of Minors from Tobacco and Alcohol Products – Amendments to Laws 3730/2008 and 4419/2016 – Regulation of Non-Tobacco Products – Digital Registry for Monitoring Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Non-Tobacco Products and Other Provisions’ was passed in the Hellenic Parliament’s full session.
Under this new law, sales of alcohol and tobacco products to young people will require the presentation of official identification to verify age. This measure aims to ensure strict control over access to such products by underage individuals.
Key objectives of the law include:
– Protecting minors’ physical and mental health from the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol.
– Preventing exposure to these products through controlled availability and restricted access to sale and consumption areas.
– Strengthening public health protection via continuous monitoring of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, refill containers, and herbal smoking products.
– Enhancing safeguards against emerging non-tobacco nicotine products (e.g., nicotine pouches) not covered under previous legislation.
– Implementing a digital registry system to improve market control using modern technological tools.
Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis expressed pride in the new legal framework: “This law introduces stricter enforcement mechanisms and harsher penalties to drastically limit minors’ access to alcohol and tobacco. Sellers are now required to check buyers’ ages either via ID presentation or through the Kids Wallet app. We must all work together to protect our youth.”
Deputy Minister of Health Dimitris Vartzopoulos added that these measures represent a decisive step toward safeguarding children’s health: “With this law, we are setting clear boundaries to prevent underage access to tobacco and alcohol, aiming for a society focused on prevention and well-being for future generations.”
Source: Iatropedia.gr