Could quitting smoking make Italian PM Meloni less sociable?

Quitting smoking might affect sociability

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has jokingly suggested that forcing her to quit smoking could make her dangerous, remarking she might “kill somebody,” during the recent Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

The playful exchange occurred when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has committed to making Turkey smoke-free, told Meloni she looked “great” but needed to stop smoking. The comment elicited laughter from French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with Macron joking that it was “impossible” to make Meloni quit.

Meloni responded with humour, emphasising that she did not want to harm anyone. She has recently revealed in a book that she resumed smoking after a 13-year hiatus, joking that the habit has helped her bond with other world leaders, including Tunisian President Kais Saied.

🇹🇷🇮🇹 ERDOGAN TO MELONI: I HAVE TO MAKE YOU STOP SMOKING

Erdogan:

"I saw you coming down from the plane.

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You look great.

But I have to make you stop smoking."

Meloni:

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"I know, I know.

I don't want to kill somebody"

Source: @ihacomtr https://t.co/FX7G3CR5g1 pic.twitter.com/glcfOZAA6Z

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 13, 2025

Erdoğan has launched the "Smoke-Free Türkiye" campaign, backed by a 2024-2028 action plan designed to raise awareness, support cessation, and protect youth from tobacco use.

The light-hearted moment came amidst serious discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh, where global leaders gathered to support a ceasefire in Gaza, address the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and discuss long-term governance and reconstruction strategies for Palestinian territories.

The summit also served as a stage to promote US President Donald Trump’s vision for regional peace, balancing diplomatic negotiations with moments of levity, as leaders juggled global strategy with personal interactions.