British tourists in Greece are being warned they could face fines of up to €500 (roughly £420) for smoking in indoor public places, according to the UK Foreign Office. The ban applies to shopping malls, transport hubs, and other enclosed spaces.
The smoking ban, which came into force in 2010, was introduced to reduce high smoking rates in Greece. Since 2019, it has also covered vaping and e-cigarettes. Offenders may have their names recorded in a database, and businesses face fines of up to €10,000.
The Foreign Office also cautioned that excessive drinking could lead to arrest or imprisonment. “The Greek police will arrest you for any behaviour they find rowdy or indecent, especially where excessive drinking is involved,” it said. Travel insurance may not cover missed flights due to alcohol-related arrests.
Greece welcomed a record 4.5 million British visitors in 2022, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers.
