In brief
Even after a smoking ban was introduced 14 years ago, Greece’s high smoking rates and a culture of defiance mean many still light up indoors and outdoors, rejecting the European Union's proposed policies.
Over 14 years since Greece implemented a ban on indoor smoking, the country continues to be one of the heaviest smoking nations in Europe. Despite the European Union’s pressure to extend smoking prohibitions to outdoor areas, Greece has firmly rejected such measures. A report by the European Commission highlights that nearly 20% of Greece's deaths in 2019 were linked to tobacco use, which includes both direct smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. Yet, habits die hard, and many Greeks remain committed to their nicotine despite various regulations in place. Stathis Papachristou, a psychologist affiliated with the National Public Health Organization’s smoking cessation program, noted, “When a smoker sees loopholes in enforcement, they tend to exploit them.” Current statistics reveal that approximately a third of Greece’s population smoke, placing it second only to Bulgaria within the European Union.Greece’s initial smoking ban in all indoor public venues was enacted in 2010, leading to a noticeable decline in smoking rates. However, the law was largely ignored. To combat this, tougher regulations were rolled out in 2019, introducing substantial fines—100 euros for individuals smoking in prohibited areas and up to €10,000 for establishments allowing such behavior, along with a hotline for complaints. Despite the law's stiff penalties, compliance remains low, as many Greeks continue to indulge in smoking in various public settings, demonstrating a cultural resistance to both the indoor ban and new initiatives for broader outdoor smoking restrictions proposed by the European Union.
