Greece reports surge in alcohol poisoning among minors

Health officials in Greece are raising alarms over a significant rise in alcohol-related hospitalizations among minors. Data released by the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees (POEDHN) indicates that 1,000 minors under the age of 16 sought medical attention due to alcohol consumption in 2025. The situation has worsened in the first half of 2026, with 650 cases of acute intoxication already recorded.

In Athens, major pediatric hospitals such as ‘Agia Sofia’ and ‘P. & A. Kyriakou’ have handled hundreds of these cases. Medical professionals have noted that some children required intensive care, while others reported severe reactions after consuming very small amounts, leading to suspicions of adulterated beverages. In regional areas, Crete has reported high numbers of incidents, particularly during the summer months.

Experts, including psychologist Chrysoula Mavraki, highlight that the age of first contact with alcohol is dropping, with children as young as 12 to 14 consuming alcohol due to peer pressure or adult modeling. Additionally, hospital administrators, such as Giorgos Beas of the General Hospital of Chania, have reported specific clusters of admissions among 14-year-olds. Concerns have also been raised regarding the conduct of some entertainment venues that allegedly leave unconscious minors on sidewalks to avoid legal consequences.