Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt — While world leaders gathered in Egypt to address the Gaza crisis, an unexpected and light-hearted exchange between Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stole the spotlight — and the internet.
As Erdogan stepped off the plane, he advised Meloni to quit smoking for her health. Her candid and humorous reply caught global attention:
“If I quit smoking, I might end up killing someone!”
French President Emmanuel Macron, overhearing the exchange, chimed in with a laugh, “That’s impossible!”
The spontaneous moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
But behind the humor lies a deeper personal story. In her autobiography ‘I Am Giorgia’, Meloni shared that she had quit smoking years ago but recently returned to the habit. The reason?
“It helps me connect with other leaders,” she said.
Meloni believes smoking often acts as a bridge in diplomatic circles. She mentioned building personal rapport with several global figures — including the President of Tunisia — over a shared smoke.
“If I stop smoking, I’d become less social, and that wouldn’t help,” she added during an interview.
She also revealed that in a high-stress environment — shaped by the Ukraine war, migration issues, and EU politics — smoking has become a personal stress reliever.
At a recent wine event, Meloni shared another personal note:
“I enjoy drinking, but never on an empty stomach.”
But when it comes to cigarettes, she admits it’s more than a habit — it’s a part of her lifestyle.
Interestingly, Italy has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe, with about 20% of the population identifying as smokers. So while Meloni isn’t alone in her struggle, her openness — and sense of humor — certainly set her apart.
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