The government is considering legislative interventions in order to deal with its problem disposition of alcohol in minors.

According to information from “Daily“, the measures being processed by the relevant ministries (Citizen Protection, Digital Governance, Health, Justice, Interior) include the recriminalization of the sale of alcohol and all types of tobacco products to minors as a misdemeanor, the tightening of administrative sanctions, the establishment of the obligation of the seller in wineries, entertainment centers, etc. to request administrative documents (eg ID) certifying that the buyer is not a minor.

The law will not exempt private events that will be treated as public, and will have to be declared to the relevant authorities so that checks are possible.

The main control role for the issues of the disposition and consumption of alcohol by minors is now assumed by the Greek Police, which will however be assisted by other control authorities, such as Municipal Police, Coast Guard, National Transparency Authority.

Chrysochoidis: “Thoughts that student events in nightclubs should be reported to the Police”

It is recalled that, when asked about the illegal consumption of alcohol in bars, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis pointed out on Monday to that we should not be surprised, because such incidents have been happening for decades and only when something takes dramatic proportions, then there is an awakening.

“There is a legislative framework that is not effective. The government immediately mobilized, the prime minister gave orders and an inter-ministerial committee is currently running very quickly preparing to bring provisions so that we can improve the framework. For example, today a school can say that there will be a private event in a bar. This means that children will go there and fatally consume alcohol. Now there is a thought that this event should be reported to the Police.”

On the occasion of the alarming number of traffic accident victims, Mr. Chrysochoidis presented the data from the ELAS controls on the consumption of alcohol by drivers.

“In the first 10 months of 2023, ELAS carried out 15,680 checks in the municipality of Athens. About 1,600 tested positive for the breathalyzer, i.e. about 10%. In the same period this year, 26,812 checks have been carried out and the positive tests are 4,800. The weekend and especially on Thursday is 30%,” said Mr. Chrysochoidis.