ID required for purchasing cigarettes and alcohol in Greece – New bill aims to protect minors
A new bill from the Ministry of Health has been released for public consultation, aiming to protect minors from accessing tobacco, alcohol, and other non-smoking products. The bill introduces sweeping regulations including mandatory ID checks for all purchases of such products — even for adults.
Titled “Protection of Minors from Tobacco and Alcohol Products – Regulations for Non-Smoking Products – Digital Registry for Monitoring Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Non-Smoking Products and Other Provisions”, the legislation is part of a broader strategy to curb underage consumption through stricter enforcement and transparency.
Key Provisions of the Draft Law
1. Protection of Minors
- Total ban on the sale, offer, or distribution of tobacco and alcohol to or by minors.
- Sellers are required to verify age by checking ID for every purchase.
- Mandatory reporting to the police or coast guard for private events in nightlife venues involving minors.
- Harsh administrative and criminal penalties for violations.
2. Market Oversight for Tobacco Products
- Establishment of a dedicated division within the National Public Health Organization (EODY) to oversee the circulation of tobacco products, with the authority to ban or revoke licenses.
- Regulation of the sale of vaping and herbal smoking products.
- Simplified administrative penalties to be imposed directly by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
3. Regulation of Non-Smoking Products
- Total ban on the sale of heated tobacco products, nicotine products, and cannabis to minors.
- Prohibition of vending machine sales for these products.
- Designation of competent authorities for enforcement and penalty issuance.
4. Digital Registry
- Introduction of a Digital Registry for Monitoring Tobacco, Alcohol, and Non-Smoking Products to improve market transparency and regulatory oversight.
The online public consultation is open until Sunday, June 16, at 9:00 a.m., and all citizens and social stakeholders are invited to submit comments and suggestions to improve the draft law.
