ESPAD 2024 Report: Rising Trends in Teen Gambling and Vaping in Greece
Overview of the 2024 ESPAD Study
The 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) presents an extensive analysis of substance use and risky behaviors among teenagers across 37 countries in Europe. This survey, which sampled over 113,000 students aged 15 and 16, highlights alarming trends in Greece regarding tobacco and vaping use among youth.
In Greece, more than half of teenagers have tried smoking cigarettes or using e-cigarettes, a figure that stands out in the survey. This finding is strengthened by a related MRB Hellas study, conducted with support from the Health and Digital Governance Ministries, showing 2.9% of Greek teens aged 15 to 17 actively use e-cigarettes.
The Greek part of the ESPAD survey was carried out by EPIPSY and involved nearly 7,000 students from 488 schools nationwide, with funding from the Ministry of Health.
Accessibility of Vaping, Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Illegal Drugs
Among the Greek teenagers surveyed, 54% reported having used cigarettes or e-cigarettes, exceeding the European average of 48%. Many youths described acquiring these products as easy, with experimentation often beginning around the age of 13.
Although general alcohol consumption in Greece is at its lowest level in 25 years, alcohol remains easily accessible to minors. Sixteen-year-olds particularly show higher drinking rates compared to the European average, including lifetime consumption, recent use, binge drinking, and incidents of intoxication. Both binge drinking and episodes of drunkenness have seen a steady increase over the past five years.
Use of illicit drugs among Greek teens aligns with or slightly exceeds the European average. Notably, there is a rise in the use of inhalants and non-prescribed potent opioid painkillers. Additionally, more teenagers now report that substances like cannabis, cocaine, and tranquilizers are readily available, reversing the downward trend seen across Europe since 2011.
Trends in Teen Gambling and Digital Behavior
Gambling is a growing concern in Greece, with 11% of adolescents admitting to gambling activities — nearly double the 6% European average. Interestingly, gambling is becoming increasingly common among girls, reflecting shifting digital engagement patterns.
Participation in online gambling has sharply increased, and harmful gambling behaviors have nearly doubled, especially among girls. Despite this heightened participation, reports of problematic gaming behavior have remained stable.
Earlier this year, the Council of Europe expressed concerns about the rising prevalence of gambling among European youth and its effects. Similar patterns are observed internationally; in Australia, about one in three teenagers aged 12 to 17 gamble, with an even higher incidence among 18 to 19-year-olds.
Emerging Public Health Challenges for European Youth
While traditional substance use such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs continues to decline across Europe, new addictive behaviors are on the rise. These include vaping, misuse of prescription medications, gambling, and extensive use of social media and gaming platforms.
The gap between genders is narrowing, with risky behaviors now increasingly common among girls as well as boys. The ESPAD report cautions that although traditional substance use is decreasing, it does not necessarily mean teenagers are safer overall, as emerging addictions present complex new challenges for public health across the continent.
