In brief
Despite a 14-year-old indoor smoking ban, a significant portion of Greeks continue to smoke, as outdoor smoking restrictions are also being rejected amidst health concerns.
Greece's smoking culture is strong, with a long-standing ban on indoor smoking widely ignored. A study from the European Commission noted that in 2019, smoking was responsible for nearly 20% of the country's deaths. Yet, around a third of Greeks light up, second only to Bulgaria in the EU. The 2010 law restricting indoor smoking brought some progress, but compliance has been poor. In 2019, more rigorous measures were enacted, including hefty fines for both individuals and establishments. However, the smoking habit persists driven by defiance and a belief that enforcement is lax, showcasing Greece's complicated relationship with tobacco use as the EU pushes for stricter bans by 2040.
