Greece to Increase Penalties for Selling Vaping Products to Youth

 

The Greek government is working to amend the country’s alcohol laws, and a new bill is expected to be introduced in parliament that would impose tougher penalties on businesses supplying alcohol, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices to minors.

 

This is a joint decision by the Ministries of Citizen Protection, Justice, and Health after multiple incidents of alcohol sales to minors.

 

According to media reports, sources said violators who sell these harmful products to minors could face prison terms, fines, and other administrative penalties, including the immediate closure of the business involved.

 

Ministerial officials said there had also been negligence in the past regarding minors’ access to these harmful products. Specifically, under the previous government, the number of police officers responsible for enforcing anti-smoking laws was sharply reduced, penalties were minimized, and it was also decided to allow minors to drink alcohol at private events.

 

Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis said in commenting on the new law that “everything is now much stricter when it comes to protecting minors, and enforcement has also been strengthened.”