39.1% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 3.5 million current smokers in Greece
45.3% of men are current smokers but only 32.8% of women
Smoking in Greece
The overall smoking prevalence in Greece has been going down in recent years, but it still has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world. There are approximately 3.5 million people smoking in the country. 39.1% of the adult population in Greece are current smokers, down from 42% in 2006. 45.3% of men smoke and for women the figure is 32.8%.
The most recent data show there were 22,759 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 6,600 women and 16,200 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 20.87% (women: 10.4%; and men: 25.1%).
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Greece and there are 185,600 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 2.07%. There are no requirements to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription and there are no legal restrictions on their use in public places.
Heated tobacco products can be marketed, but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is legal to purchase it without a prescription. The NRT market in Greece is worth €3 million.
For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Deaths
In Greece, 22,759 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.
Market size of NRT.
NRT market size is estimated to 3.0 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Greece
Greece abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). Vaping is permitted anywhere that smoking is allowed, and Greece has put a strict anti-smoking legislation in place, however the ban is not effective in practice. In September 2018 the sale of non-nicotine e-cigarettes became prohibited. Greeks cannot buy e-cigarettes or vaping fluids from other countries by mail order. A tax on e-cigarettes came into effect in January 2017 (at €0.10 per ml) and covers all e-cigarettes and e-cigarette fluid regardless of whether they contain nicotine. New rules are being implemented in Greece (as of 2019) which ban the sale of the raw ingredients in e-liquids: propylene glycol, glycerol and flavorings.
Snus
in Greece
Snus is banned. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Greece.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Greece
NRT market size is estimated to 3.0 million €. In Greece you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT. NRT is legal to market. You can buy NRT in Pharmacy.