Greece is set to impose a bill restricting the sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors in a bid to stop adults from sending their children to buy them.
Health minister Adonis Georgiades confirmed the bill that is being imposed will mean the sale of these products to minors will carry criminal consequences.
The practice of children being sent by parents to buy their cigarettes has been commonplace in Greece and is one of the main things the bill is aiming to stop.
“We are making a very strict bill to protect our minors from both alcohol and tobacco,” Georgiades said in an interview.
“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, Georgiadis said.
The bill will also introduce a cap on the amount of nicotine in tobacco pouches at 16 grams, with checks revealing that some pouches had as high as 70 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.
The Greek bill comes as other member states put pressure on the European Union to raise tobacco taxes.
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.
