While smoking rates among adults in Greece are steadily declining, the country is facing a concerning public health reversal among its youth. New data reveals that Greece is now one of the few European nations where both traditional smoking and vaping are on the rise among teenagers.
According to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), the statistics for 16-year-olds in Greece show a significant jump in nicotine use.
- 2019: 43% of 16-year-olds reported using traditional or e-cigarettes.
- 2024: That number climbed to 54%.
While adult smoking remains high at approximately 30%, the trend is downward. In contrast, the youth demographic is moving in the opposite direction, largely driven by the “normalization” of new nicotine products.
Why current laws are failing
Dr. João Breda, head of the WHO office in Greece, explains that current tobacco control policies were designed for a different era.
“Taxation, advertising bans, and health warnings were created for traditional cigarettes,” Breda told ANA-MPA. “New products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches exploit legal loopholes.”
Targeted Marketing Tactics:
The WHO identifies a clear global pattern used to hook 15-year-olds rather than 55-year-old smokers:
- Flavoring: Using candy, dessert, and fruit scents
- Influencer culture: Aggressive promotion via social media and gaming platforms
- Stealth design: Devices that look like sleek electronic gadgets rather than tobacco products
Dr. Zenia Saridaki, a medical oncologist, notes that nicotine has been rebranded as “modern and harmless” through digital culture. Social media influencers have played a pivotal role in making vaping appear socially acceptable, leading to a reality where over half of Greek students have now tried e-cigarettes.
The medical reality: Not just “water vapor”
Public health experts are debunking the myth that vaping is safe. The WHO warns that e-cigarette aerosols contain:
- Highly addictive nicotine, which stunts youth brain development
- Heavy metals, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds
- Carcinogens linked to respiratory and cardiovascular inflammation
- Furthermore, data shows that teens who start with vaping are three times more likely to transition to traditional cigarettes later in life.
The WHO does not recognize e-cigarettes as safe alternatives or valid smoking cessation tools. To combat the crisis in Greece, they recommend:
- Banning child-friendly flavors: Eliminating tastes that appeal to minors
- Digital enforcement: Using tools like the European Digital Identity Wallet to strictly verify age for both in-person and online sales
- Unified legislation: Applying the same strict indoor-smoking bans to all vaping and heated tobacco products
While Greece is taking steps toward digital age verification, experts emphasize that success will depend on strict enforcement and a shift in parental awareness and educational initiatives.
Related: Teens in Greece Outpace European Peers in Vaping, Drinking, and Gambling
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
