Europe Cracks Down on Outdoor Smoking – Can Greece Follow Suit?

On January 1st, 2025, the city of Milan banned outdoor smoking on streets and crowded public areas, Italy’s strictest smoking ban to date. Violators will be fined between 40 to 240 euros ($41 to $249). The ban comes on the heels of last month’s European initiative for more stringent anti-smoking regulations and is anticipated to be the initial step towards more outdoor smoking prohibitions across the European Union. Can Greece, an EU member with one of the highest smoking rates in Europe, follow suit?

Europe is aiming for a tobacco-free generation across the bloc

Health ministers from the bloc’s 27 nations, gathered in Brussels in early December and agreed to tougher smoking rules. Their recommendation invites member states to crack down on second-hand smoke and vapor. They also back bans on smoking and vaping in many outdoor areas, including playgrounds and cafe patios.

“Today’s agreement is a crucial step towards our goal of a tobacco-free generation in Europe, and is critical in protecting our children and young people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke,” Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union’s Health Commissioner said after the agreement was signed.

The recommendation, though non-binding since health matters fall under individual member state jurisdiction, outlines potential policies that European countries might implement to decrease smoke-related deaths and illnesses.

All EU countries voted in favor of the recommendation except Germany and Greece, which abstained. So, where does Greece stand regarding outdoor smoking bans?

Greece, a nation that still loves smoking

Indoor smoking was banned in Greece fifteen years ago. However, Greece still has one of Europe’s highest smoking rates despite the ban, which aims to protect not only non-smokers but also to encourage smokers to quit. New research based on British smokers suggests that a single cigarette could slash 20 minutes off someone’s life expectancy.

Though the number of smokers in Greece has declined over the years, according to the latest EU data published in June 2024, 36 percent of Greeks still smoke (the European average is 24 percent) while their daily cigarette consumption (18,13 cigarettes per day) is the highest in the EU (average European smoker smokes 14,1 cigarettes per day). In all, Greece has the second highest smoking rate in the European Union after Bulgaria (37 percent).

Anti-smoking laws are challenging to enforce in Greece, as 96% of respondents reported seeing people smoke outdoors, compared to the European average of 72%. Additionally, 26% of Greeks noticed smoking indoors despite the complete ban, with the European average at 22%. Furthermore, 45% of Greeks support banning smoking in outdoor areas such as parks and public entrances to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

Milan’s outdoor smoking ban inflames similar scenarios in Greece

The recent implementation of an outdoor smoking ban in Italy’s financial and fashion hub, which “applies to all public places, including streets,” has sparked discussions about the possibility of Greece adopting similar measures. The Greek government’s decision to abstain from last month’s vote in Brussels further highlights the contentious and delicate nature of smoking bans in Greece.

Speaking to SKAI Radio, deputy minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, when asked about the possibility of an outdoor smoking ban, said “I know nothing about this, I can’t say anything more over this.” He added that implementing the existing indoor smoking ban is more important for the Greek government.

Mata Tsikrika, President of the Pulmonologists Union in Greece, told the Naftemboriki TV Channel that it’s not likely Greece could implement an outdoor smoking ban when it cannot even enforce the existing indoor smoking ban. “It looks like the Greek culture continues to adopt a smoking behavior,” she said.

Tsikrika also noted that smoking is a “public threat,” and European countries like Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, show how to remind everyone of smoking’s harmful effects on the human body. She stated that despite numerous efforts and campaigns, enforcing the smoking bans in Greece remains insufficient, raising questions about the political commitment to this issue.

With the weather in Greece quite mild even during the winter, most cafes and restaurants keep their outdoor spaces open throughout the year. Rumors that Greece could also adopt an outdoor smoking ban after Milan have sparked agony and concern among many Greek cafe and restaurant owners, fearing that such a move would severely hurt their businesses.

Greeks remain divided on a possible outdoor smoking ban. In Greek media-conducted interviews, smokers expressed that implementing a smoking ban would deter them from enjoying their coffee at a cafe. Conversely, non-smokers are in favor of the ban, as they desire to experience a completely smoke-free environment.

Several restaurants and cafes in Athens tourist areas have implemented a smoking ban on outdoor sitting areas, citing the comfort of many foreign customers who don’t smoke.