Smoking decreased significantly among young Greeks between 2009-2019

On World No Tobacco Day, the Hellenic Medical Association announced a significant 52% decrease in smoking among 16-24 year olds between 2009 and 2019. This was part of a broader discussion on smoking trends and challenges. Despite the reduction, 38% of Greeks still use tobacco products, the third-highest rate in the EU. The Association highlighted that 31% of Greek adults smoke traditional cigarettes, and smoking-related illnesses account for approximately one-fifth of all deaths in Greece. The Association advocates for measures like a tax on tobacco products to fund primary healthcare programs, aiming to achieve an EU goal of a "tobacco-free generation" by 2040. This involves prevention, protection, cessation support, and regulation.