Once again, efforts are underway to strengthen the country’s anti-smoking legislation, focusing on minors and their protection not only from cigarette smoke but also from alcohol.

The Ministry of Health has put a new bill out for public consultation, which among other provisions, includes hefty fines for selling alcohol or tobacco products to minors.

However, the question remains: how effectively will inspections be carried out and sanctions imposed, given that the legal framework for smoking has been amended at least ten times, yet its effectiveness tends to fall flat due to the practical difficulties in enforcement. Unfortunately, Greece continues to face challenges when it comes to strictly applying anti-smoking legislation.