Washington: In a moment of levity amidst high-stakes diplomacy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took a personal jab at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, urging her to quit smoking during the Gaza peace summit in Egypt. The informal exchange, captured in footage aired by İhlas News Agency, unfolded on the sidelines of the summit, which convened global leaders to support a ceasefire in Gaza and explore long-term solutions for rebuilding the war-torn region.
“I saw you coming down from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking,” Erdoğan remarked to Meloni, highlighting Turkey’s growing commitment to public health and its nationwide “Smoke-Free Türkiye” campaign. French President Emmanuel Macron, standing nearby, chuckled at Erdoğan’s declaration, interjecting, “It’s impossible!” in reference to the Italian premier’s well-known habit.
Meloni responded with characteristic humor and self-awareness, noting that quitting might dampen her sociability. “I know, I know. I don’t want to kill somebody,” she said, referencing how smoking has, at times, helped her build rapport with global leaders. In fact, Meloni had candidly acknowledged in a book, based on interviews, that smoking served as a social bridge with figures such as Tunisian President Kais Saied.
Erdoğan’s light-hearted admonition was consistent with his broader public health agenda. Through the Smoke-Free Türkiye initiative, the Turkish government is implementing a 2024–2028 action plan designed to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, provide cessation support, and protect youth from smoking. The Turkish president has positioned tobacco reduction as a key priority in his domestic policy, aiming for a healthier future for the nation.
The exchange occurred during a gathering of world leaders at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, convened to reinforce the ceasefire agreement that ended the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The summit also sought to lay the groundwork for long-term governance, reconstruction, and humanitarian support in the devastated Palestinian territory. The meeting reflected broader international backing for US President Donald Trump’s vision for peace in the Middle East, while simultaneously offering lighter diplomatic moments like Erdoğan and Meloni’s smoking ban banter.
Observers noted that while the summit focused on pressing geopolitical and humanitarian issues, such informal interactions between leaders provided a humanizing glimpse into global diplomacy, where serious negotiations often coexist with playful personal exchanges.