Athens: Greece is set to impose stricter penalties for selling alcohol, electronic cigarettes, and vapes to minors, media reports said Thursday. The government will introduce a bill on the issue following a joint decision by the ministries of citizen protection, justice, and health.

According to Anadolu Agency, the move comes after repeated incidents of selling alcohol to minors, which recently made headlines when eight minors in Athens were hospitalized due to alcohol consumption. Sources familiar with the issue indicated that violators who sell harmful products to minors could face prison time, fines, and other administrative penalties, including the immediate closure of the business involved.

Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis commented on the initiative, stating, “Everything is now becoming stricter for the protection of minors, with increased enforcement.” The proposed legislation underscores the government’s commitment to preventing the sale of harmful products to underage individuals, aiming to safegu
ard the health and wellbeing of minors across the country.