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Key Points

During a peace summit in Egypt focused on ending the Gaza conflict, Turkish President Erdogan took a personal interest in Italian Prime Minister Meloni's smoking habit. He directly told her he needed to make her stop smoking, prompting an immediate reaction from French President Macron who declared it impossible. Meloni responded with humor, warning that quitting might make her less sociable and difficult to be around. The exchange occurred on the sidelines of important Middle East peace negotiations where leaders were discussing the implementation of a peace plan.

Key Points: Erdogan Tells Meloni to Quit Smoking at Egypt Peace Summit

  • Erdogan promised to find a way to convince Meloni to quit smoking during peace summit
  • Macron immediately declared the effort impossible while laughing at the exchange
  • Meloni warned that quitting smoking might make her less sociable and difficult
  • Meloni previously confessed she resumed smoking after 13 years of quitting
  • Smoking helped Meloni bond with other politicians including Tunisian President
  • Turkey has strict tobacco control laws banning smoking in public places
2 min read

Turkish President wants Italian PM to stop smoking

Turkish President Erdogan vows to convince Italian PM Meloni to stop smoking during Gaza peace talks, with Macron declaring it "impossible" as Meloni warns quitting might make her less sociable.

"You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking - Recep Tayyip Erdogan"

Sharm El-Sheikh, October 14

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's anti-tobacco crusade has a new target: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Politico reported.

On the sidelines of a peace summit in Egypt aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Erdogan promised Meloni he would find a way to convince her to stop smoking.

"You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking," Erdogan told Meloni, according to footage published by Italian daily Il Foglio and other media, as cited by Politico.

But French President Emmanuel Macron, who was next to them, was quick to dash Erdogan's hopes. "It's impossible!" he said, laughing.

"I know, I know," Meloni said, adding a warning that quitting smoking might make her less sociable. "I don't want to kill somebody."

In a book based on a series of interviews, Meloni confessed she had started smoking again after quitting for 13 years. But she also acknowledged that smoking had helped her bond with other politicians, including Tunisian President Kais Saied, as per Politico.

Turkey's main tobacco control law is Law No. 4207, enacted in 1996 and amended several times, which bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, prohibits tobacco sales to minors under 18, and includes regulations on advertising, promotion, and packaging. The law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and discouraging tobacco use through various measures and enforcement actions.

Meloni was in Egypt to attend the signing ceremony of the peace plan for the Middle East. There, she also held bilateral talks with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.

https://x.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1977841621023547422

In a post on X, she said, "On the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the Peace Plan for the Middle East, I had a bilateral meeting with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. We discussed the next steps in implementing the peace plan and I reaffirmed Italy's commitment to contributing to the stabilisation, reconstruction and development of the Gaza Strip and to relaunching a political process towards a framework of peace, security and stability in the Middle East based on the two-State solution. The conversation also allowed us to take stock of bilateral relations and in particular of the implementation of the Mattei Plan projects in the sectors of training, energy and sustainable agriculture."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As someone who quit smoking last year, I appreciate Erdogan's concern. But Macron's reaction shows how difficult it is to change habits. In India, we also have strict anti-smoking laws, but implementation is the real challenge. 🚭
A
Arjun K
Meloni's point about smoking helping with political bonding is actually quite relatable. In our corporate culture too, sometimes the best discussions happen during smoke breaks. But health should come first! 🤔
S
Sarah B
While I understand the health concerns, this seems like an inappropriate conversation during a peace summit. World leaders should maintain professional decorum, especially when discussing serious issues like Middle East peace. The timing feels off.
V
Vikram M
Turkey's anti-smoking law seems quite comprehensive. India could learn from their enforcement mechanisms. But honestly, between peace talks and smoking advice, I know which one I'd prioritize! 😅 Hope the Gaza peace plan gets the attention it deserves.
K
Kavya N
Meloni quitting for 13 years and starting again shows how addictive smoking is. Many of my relatives struggle with this. Maybe world leaders should collaborate on better smoking cessation programs globally. Health diplomacy could be a thing! 💪

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