Greece is tightening rules around the sale of tobacco and alcohol products to children, according to health minister Adonis Georgiades.
From now on, the sale of tobacco products to minors will carry criminal consequences and it will not be possible for adults to send their children to buy cigarettes, which has been common practice in Greece for decades, Georgiades said in an interview.
"We are making a very strict bill to protect our minors from both alcohol and tobacco," Georgiades said. "The kiosk attendant, to give a packet of cigarettes to someone, must ask for identification and establish that they are an adult – otherwise they are criminally liable".
The rule was set to be published in the Official Gazette of the Government, he said.
The bill will also introduce a cap on the amount of nicotine in tobacco pouches. Checks on these products had revealed that some pouches had 70 grams of nicotine, but the cap will bring that limit down to 16 grams.
"We as a state will do what we have to do, but all conscientious professionals should help us by asking for identification to protect the young generation from this scourge," Georgiades said.
Standstill on EU price increases
For months, 15 members of the European Union have been pushing the European Commission to increase taxes, and therefore prices, on tobacco products.
The goal is to discourage people from buying cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products, and to dissuade young people from picking up the habit.
If the plan succeeds, a packet of cigarettes could reach €6 or €7 in Greece.
The Greek government, as well as Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania, have opposed large price increases, stressing that they will negatively affect their economies. They also point out that in places with sharp price increases, cigarette smuggling has flourished.
The decision to raise tobacco prices would requires unanimous agreement from EU member states, and it is not expected to be enacted anytime soon, if at all.
