In brief
Greece continues to grapple with high smoking rates and widespread disregard for existing smoking bans, as outdoor restrictions prompted by the EU face strong opposition.
Greece has long been known for its strong smoking culture, consistently boasting one of the highest rates of tobacco use in Europe. Even 14 years after a comprehensive ban on indoor smoking was enacted, it’s common to observe patrons lighting up in bars and clubs across the nation. While the European Union advocates for extending smoking prohibitions to outdoor areas as part of a broader goal for a “tobacco-free generation” by 2040, Greece has firmly responded with a resounding “No, thanks.”The European Commission’s health profile of Greece revealed startling figures, noting that around 20% of the country's deaths in 2019 were linked to tobacco, encompassing both direct and secondhand smoking impacts. Nevertheless, resistance to quitting persists, driven by habit, a sense of defiance, or simply the lack of stringent enforcement of existing laws. According to Stathis Papachristou, a psychologist affiliated with the National Public Health Organization's smoking cessation initiatives, when smokers recognize opportunities to circumvent the law, they will take advantage. Presently, over a third of Greeks are reported to smoke, placing Greece just behind Bulgaria for the highest smoking rates within the EU.The initial smoking ban, implemented in 2010, resulted in decreased smoking rates, but its effectiveness was undermined by rampant disregard. Consequently, in 2019, the government introduced more stringent regulations, which included hefty fines of €100 (approximately $105) for individuals smoking indoors, and penalties reaching €10,000 for establishments that allowed smoking, supplemented by a complaints hotline for enforcement.Despite these measures, the deeply entrenched smoking culture and the public's reluctance to conform leave experts wondering how effective future regulations, particularly regarding outdoor smoking, will be in a nation that prioritizes personal freedom over public health initiatives.
