Criminal offence selling alcohol to minors: What measures does the government promote following extreme drunkenness

Intense concern prevails within the government over the growing cases of extreme drunkenness, some of whom are being taken to the hospital in critical condition. Indicative is the case of the 14-year-old from Ioannina who was intubated in ICU after excessive alcohol consumption, while yesterday (02.01). 25) the light of publicity saw a similar incident with a minor hospitalized at Kalamata Hospital. CORVERSE It is noted that according to WTODEN data, imports of children into hospitals have more than doubled due to extreme drunkenness. According to the president of the Workers’ Federation, Michael Yannako, these incidents are far from isolated. “In recent months there has been more than a doubling of the cases of children attending hospitals after drunkenness. The number of minors is constantly increasing. CORVERSE They come either after drunkenness, excessive use, or adulterated drinks in the emergency room of on-call pediatric hospitals and clinical general hospitals. The operating framework of shops serving alcohol to minors should be tightened and at the same time families should be more careful with their children. Because children’s drunkenness doesn’t always happen in entertainment centers. Children often gather in squares in large places and use alcohol,” he specifically says. On the occasion of the barrage of such incidents in recent years, the government is expected to tighten the framework around the ban on selling alcohol to minors. The first ‘chamber’ for offenders is the conversion into a criminal offence of the disposal of alcohol to persons under the age of 14 and even without exception. Also, the responsibility of the Greek Police to carry out checks on clubs and entertainment centers, as well as the possibility of immediate sealing of night entertainment venues, which will not comply with the rules. At the same time, amendments to the current legal framework for smoking in our country are expected. On 3 December 2024 the EU Member States’ health ministers reached a consensus to establish stricter anti-smoking regulations, including the ban on smoking and steaming outdoors, such as playgrounds, coffee shops, pools, beaches, zoos and restaurant terraces. In Greece, the current legislation provides for an explicit ban on smoking outdoors where minors gather, such as playgrounds and sports facilities. This ban applies to both normal cigarettes and the use of electronic cigarettes or other smoking devices.