An alarming new study by Greece’s Mental Health Research Institute (EPIPSY) reveals that 36% of first-year high school students in Greece have gambled for money in 2024—well above the 23% average across 36 European countries. Italy (45%) and Iceland (41%) lead the rankings, but what worries researchers most is that 7% of Greek teens already show signs of potential gambling addiction.
The study is part of a European-wide research project, known as the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), which is conducted every four years in over 35 European countries. In 2024, 6,810 students in Greece took part.
The findings paint a troubling picture of teen behavior in Greece, where unhealthy habits are on the rise. In addition to social media overuse, smoking, and drinking, gambling has become a growing concern.
Access to illegal substances and alcohol is also alarmingly easy. Thirteen percent of 16-year-olds report having tried an illegal drug at least once, with cannabis being the most accessible—34% of high school students say it’s easy to obtain, compared to a 26% European average.
Alcohol is even more accessible: 92% of respondents said they could get it without difficulty. In Athens alone, around 200 cases of underage alcohol intoxication are recorded annually in pediatric emergency rooms.
Smoking rates are also climbing, particularly among 16-year-olds using electronic cigarettes or vapes. Usage rose from 43% in 2019 to 54% in 2024. According to a Greek professor, Prof. Anna Kokkevi, the rise is linked to aggressive marketing of vapes as a “safer” option—downplaying both physical and psychological risks.
Source: Ta NEA
