Greece has launched a new digital system to register and monitor the sale of alcohol, tobacco and vaping products, marking a shift toward real-time oversight and stricter enforcement aimed at protecting minors.

The platforms alto.gov.gr and events.gov.gr form the backbone of the initiative, which for the first time records, cross-checks and tracks commercial activity that was previously only partially visible.

More than 88,600 points of sale – including liquor stores, bars, mini markets and kiosks – have already been registered on alto.gov.gr. Participating businesses exceed 79,000, as some companies operate multiple outlets. Officials say the scale and pace of registrations signal a rapid transition from a fragmented market to a unified, digitally mapped system.

Under the framework, any business selling tobacco, alcohol or vaping products must register on the platform, declare its details and demonstrate compliance with legal requirements. Once approved, businesses receive a document featuring a QR code, allowing authorities to verify compliance instantly during inspections.

The system is part of a broader policy effort focused on curbing underage access to regulated products. Registration is mandatory, and businesses that fail to enroll are prohibited from selling such goods, with violations potentially leading to suspension of operations.

Authorities say the inclusion of vaping products alongside traditional tobacco and alcohol reflects evolving consumption patterns, particularly among younger people, and brings all three categories under a single regulatory structure.

Beyond regulation, the system is expected to improve day-to-day enforcement. Inspections can be more targeted, market visibility is enhanced, and opportunities to bypass rules are reduced. Officials say the approach replaces fragmented oversight with a consistent and measurable framework supported by continuous digital monitoring. [AMNA]

Source: Ekathimerini.com