Authorities in Athens have ramped up inspections at bars, cafés, and nightlife venues in an effort to enforce smoking bans and curb the sale of alcohol to minors. The checks were carried out by joint teams from municipal police, national law enforcement, and the country’s transparency authority.

During inspections conducted on December 12 and 13, a total of 24 businesses across multiple areas of the Greek capital were checked. Officials recorded 14 violations and imposed fines totaling €19,600.

The inspections targeted popular nightlife districts and central areas, focusing on compliance with anti-smoking legislation and age restrictions on alcohol consumption. According to authorities, violations ranged from allowing smoking indoors to failing to prevent minors from entering or remaining on the premises.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said inspections will intensify over the holiday period, stressing that while temporary closures of venues are an important tool, they are not sufficient on their own to address illegal behavior, particularly in entertainment spaces. He emphasized the need to reduce risks to public safety, especially those linked to alcohol consumption and recent incidents involving minors.

According to official data, Athens municipal police carried out 1,439 anti-smoking inspections in 2023. That number rose to more than 1,900 inspections in 2025, during which 120 violations were confirmed.