17.06.2026 10:00
During the G7 Leaders' Summit held in France, open microphones revealed a colorful dialogue. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in a casual chat with other leaders that she had quit smoking. Meloni's surprise statement brought to mind President Erdoğan's warning to her last year: "I need to make you quit smoking."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known in European politics for her fondness for smoking, shared a surprising decision with the world during the G7 Leaders' Summit in France. The moment, caught on open microphones during a casual conversation among leaders, left its mark on the summit and also brought back to mind President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's past dialogue with Meloni.
ERDOĞAN'S SMOKING WARNING COMES TO MIND
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's smoking warning to Giorgia Meloni at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt in October 2025 had caused quite a stir at the time. The leaders gathered after the Gaza ceasefire agreement, experiencing colorful moments in their diplomatic traffic.
During the conversation, Erdoğan advised Meloni, "You look good, but I need to make you quit smoking." Meloni replied with a smile, "I know, I know. But I don't want to kill anyone." French President Emmanuel Macron, joining the conversation, added humorously, "That seems impossible." About eight months later, Meloni's statement "I quit" brought Erdoğan's advice back to mind.
SAID "IF FORCED TO QUIT, I'LL KILL SOMEONE"
The Italian leader's passion for smoking is also known from her striking past remarks. In an interview with an Italian newspaper last year, Meloni expressed the extent of her tobacco addiction with these bold words:
"If I'm forced to quit smoking, I'll kill someone. Quitting is almost impossible for me."
In a previously published book, Meloni described how she resumed smoking after a 13-year break and even mentioned that this habit helped her bond with certain foreign leaders, such as Tunisian President Kais Saied.
CAUGHT ON OPEN MICROPHONE AT G7 SUMMIT: NO, I QUIT
Given this history, the open microphone incident at the G7 Summit surprised everyone. In that candid conversation involving European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi Sanae, Meloni was heard saying, "I need to have some coffee."
After von der Leyen's question, "This morning? To wake up?", German Chancellor Merz jokingly asked, "And a cigarette?" Meloni's response, "No, I quit," and her addition that she had done so a month ago, created a pleasant surprise among the leaders.
LEADERS CONGRATULATE MELONI
The Italian Prime Minister's healthy decision received full marks from her counterparts. Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi Sanae showed support by saying, "You quit. Bravo." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a medical doctor, commented, "Nice," about the decision. German Chancellor Merz continued the cheerful atmosphere by teasing, "Last night?"
Later in the conversation, upon British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's question, European Council President Antonio Costa also noted that he had quit smoking 21 years ago and had "never looked back," offering encouragement to Meloni.