Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be presiding over a cabinet meeting at Maximos Mansion at 11:15 am, on Friday, January 31. The meeting will address, amongst other issues, the bill from the Ministry of Health which establishes new measures for controlling the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors, along with strict penalties for those who do not comply.

According to the bill under discussion, the provision of alcohol to minors is re-criminalized as a misdemeanor rather than merely an administrative offense. Sellers are explicitly required to request identification to verify the customer’s age.

Furthermore, violators who are reported selling alcohol to minors will face strict penalties. These penalties will include business closures after the first violation, while a third offense will result in the permanent revocation of the operating license.

The bill also prohibits minors from entering entertainment venues, and private events held in such venues.

The primary body responsible for enforcing the law will be the Hellenic Police, supported by the Municipal Police, the Coast Guard, and the National Transparency Authority.

In addition, the bill sets clear specifications for new tobacco products and, for the first time, fully regulates all nicotine-containing products, regardless of how they are consumed.

Strict standards are also established for points of sale of all tobacco and similar products to ensure controlled access for minors. The same age verification requirements imposed on alcohol sales will apply to these products as well.

The new bill regarding the protection of minors from tobacco and alcohol products will be presented at the meeting by the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis.