In Greece, e-cigarettes are allowed. The country has established a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes. Under this framework, online sales of e-cigarettes are permitted, and they are available through general retail outlets across the country. Health claims related to e-cigarette use are allowed under certain conditions, provided they comply with existing regulations. Advertising restrictions apply to prevent promotional activities. An excise tax is applied to e-cigarette products, amounting to up to 10% of the taxes levied on traditional cigarettes. Manufacturers and importers of e-cigarette products must notify authorities of new products prior to market entry. Packaging must include health warnings, and all containers are required to be child-resistant and tamper-proof. Additionally, sales are restricted to individuals aged 18 years and over, but there are no restrictions on flavour range. The maximum nicotine concentration permitted is 20 mg/ml, and tank capacity is limited to 2 ml or less, in accordance with EU rules. As of 2023, Greece recorded approximately 176,800 current vapers. The adult current e-cigarette vaping prevalence was estimated to be 2% and the daily prevalence of e-cigarette use among adults was 1.6% in 2023. For reference, 27% of adults in 2017 reported having tried e-cigarettes at least once. Public perception data collected also in 2017 showed that 65% of respondents believed e-cigarettes to be harmful or more harmful than traditional cigarettes, 19% considered them less harmful, and 16% had no idea.
European Commission. (2021). Special Eurobarometer 506: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes (S2240_506_ENG). European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/S2240_506_ENG
Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
This was a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 4058 adults (aged 18+) living in Attica prefecture (35% of the Greek adult population) which was conducted in May 2017 through telephone interviews. Prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use were assessed according to the smoking status, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of use.It should be noted that this is a regional prevalence survey not whole country. However Attica has 35% of the adult Greek population. Correspondence with the author explained the data on estimated number of vapers are extrapolated to the Attica population (1/3rd of the Greek population). But the prevalence (5% of the population) could be reasonably applicable to the whole population of Greece. This would mean there are about 450,000 vapers in Greece (in an adult population of about 9 million).
Adults survey: Health Interview Survey, 2019; National, ages 15+
European Commission. (2021). Special Eurobarometer 506: Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and electronic cigarettes (S2240_506_ENG). European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/S2240_506_ENG
Eurobarometer 539 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
This was a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 4058 adults (aged 18+) living in Attica prefecture (35% of the Greek adult population) which was conducted in May 2017 through telephone interviews. Prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use were assessed according to the smoking status, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of use.It should be noted that this is a regional prevalence survey not whole country. However Attica has 35% of the adult Greek population. Correspondence with the author explained the data on estimated number of vapers are extrapolated to the Attica population (1/3rd of the Greek population). But the prevalence (5% of the population) could be reasonably applicable to the whole population of Greece. This would mean there are about 450,000 vapers in Greece (in an adult population of about 9 million).
Question asked in this survey did not compare harmfulness with cigarettes. The question used was 'Do you think they are harmful to the health of people who use them?' 65% - YES, 19% - NO, 16% DON'T KNOW
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