ESPAD Report Reveals Alarming Rise in Teen Vaping and Gambling in Greece

The *2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs* (ESPAD) has unveiled troubling trends in substance use and risky behaviors among teenagers in Greece. The report highlights that more than half of Greek adolescents have tried smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes. This finding raises significant concerns about youth health as the report covers 37 countries and includes data from over 113,000 students aged 15 and 16.

A complementary study by *MRB Hellas*, commissioned by a tobacco company and conducted in partnership with the Greek Ministries of Health and Digital Governance, indicates that **2.9%** of teenagers aged 15 to 17 in Greece regularly use e-cigarettes. The Greek segment of the ESPAD survey, executed by *EPIPSY* and funded by the Ministry of Health, involved nearly **7,000 students** from **488 schools** nationwide.

Access to Vaping and Alcohol

Among the surveyed teenagers, **54%** reported having smoked cigarettes or used e-cigarettes, a figure that exceeds the European average of **48%**. Many participants characterized acquiring these products as “easy,” with some starting to experiment as early as age 13.

Although drinking rates in Greece have declined to their lowest level in **25 years**, minors still find alcohol readily accessible. Sixteen-year-olds in Greece exhibit higher levels of alcohol consumption than the European average across various categories, including lifetime use, recent use, and binge drinking. Both binge drinking and incidents of drunkenness among teenagers have shown a steady increase over the past five years.

The report also reveals that illicit drug use among Greek teenagers aligns with, or slightly surpasses, the European average. Notably, there has been an uptick in the use of inhalants and non-prescribed strong opioid painkillers. Alarmingly, more Greek youths now report that cannabis, cocaine, and tranquilizers are easy to obtain, defying the downward trend observed in most European countries since **2011**.

Gambling Trends Among Adolescents

Gambling has emerged as another area of concern, with **11%** of Greek adolescents indicating they have engaged in gambling activities—almost double the European average of **6%**. The study notes a significant increase in participation among girls, highlighting shifts in digital behaviors. Online gambling rates have surged, and harmful gambling practices have nearly doubled, with a notable rise among female participants.

Despite the growing number of gamblers, perceptions of problematic gaming have remained stable. Earlier this year, the *Council of Europe* raised alarms about the proliferation of gambling across the continent and its impact on youth.

Across Europe, traditional substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, has seen a decline. However, this progress is overshadowed by a rise in new addictive behaviors such as vaping, misuse of prescription drugs, gambling, and excessive use of social media and gaming. The ESPAD report emphasizes that while the reduction in traditional substance use is encouraging, it does not imply that teenagers are safer overall. Instead, researchers warn of a “new and complex public health challenge” posed by emerging forms of addiction.

The findings from the ESPAD report and supporting studies underscore the urgent need for effective public health strategies to address these growing issues among youth in Greece and across Europe.