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International summits are usually remembered for formal protocols and official statements, but sometimes a small word or a phrase garners all the attention and makes a leader’s style and priorities more prominent.
On Oct. 13, 2025, there was such one moment at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. During the summit, U.S. President Donald J. Trump jokingly told Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, “Sei bellissima” (You are very beautiful).
Yet the moment that drew more attention was when Erdogan turned to Meloni and said, “You look great, but stop smoking!" What might seem like a simple warning offered a key insight into Erdogan’s leadership style and Türkiye’s approach to health diplomacy; it carried both a human and a diplomatic message.
Erdogan’s stance against smoking has been well known for years. In the early 2000s, he often collected cigarette packs at rallies and outdoor events, encouraging people to quit.
But this was not just a local health campaign; Erdogan was also able to carry this message into diplomacy.
Before Sharm el-Sheikh, many foreign leaders and diplomats had received similar warnings. For example, at the 2016 NATO Summit, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov was cautioned while smoking.
That same year, during Erdogan’s visit to the U.S., he noticed an American tourist smoking in Central Park; the tourist had to hand over the cigarette pack to Erdogan, who signed it and added it to his collection.
This small moment showed that Erdogan’s message was not limited to official protocol and leaders; it extended to everyday individuals, making health diplomacy both symbolic and tangible.
Erdogan’s approach extends to his family as well. He reportedly urged his brother, Mustafa Erdogan, to quit smoking; media coverage suggests that Mustafa made a serious effort, showing how Erdogan’s personal message resonated even in his immediate circle.
Since 2002, Erdogan’s efforts to encourage quitting have grown into a collection of 215 cigarette packs, currently presented under the slogan “Yasam Icin Bir Soz” (A Promise for Life).
This collection spans ministers, journalists, family members, and local business owners, with names and dates recorded. It illustrates that Erdogan’s health message is applied systematically and consistently as a strategic practice.
The brief interaction at Sharm el-Sheikh demonstrates that Erdogan’s leadership is not limited to giving personal health advice. It balances a serious and effective image with a friendly tone.
The anti-smoking message highlights Türkiye’s health policies while showcasing Erdogan’s style on the international stage.
The message doesn’t just encourage individual health; it functions as a diplomatic tool. Erdogan can deliver a firm message with light humor in front of international media and diplomatic observers.
These actions reveal his leadership practice as both human and strategic.
Politico Europe framed the story as, “Erdogan wants Meloni to quit smoking, but Macron considers it a lost cause.”
The outlet noted that Erdogan’s latest target in his anti-smoking campaign was Prime Minister Meloni, who responded with humor, joking that quitting smoking might make her kill someone.
The Serbian portal Politika highlighted Erdogan’s “distinctive, semi-joking tone” when warning Meloni. Meanwhile, Croatian Index reported that in a book based on interviews, Meloni admitted she had resumed smoking after quitting 13 years earlier.
These details underscore how Erdogan’s personal yet strategic approach resonated across different media outlets and contexts.
La Repubblica and La Stampa closely followed the incident, treating Erdogan’s warning to Meloni not only as a joke but also as a health message.
Described as “authentic yet strategic,” the story quickly spread on social media, with videos and photos circulating on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Globally, media outlets saw the moment as an example of Türkiye’s health diplomacy in practice, highlighting that Erdogan’s leadership style has both firm and approachable dimensions, locally and internationally.
Analysts noted that such slight gestures are part of a soft power strategy, enhancing diplomatic impact.
The brief episode in Sharm el-Sheikh, though seemingly light, is one of the clearest examples of Erdogan’s leadership style and health diplomacy.
When viewed alongside previous similar warnings, his anti-smoking stance becomes a strategic and effective message both domestically and internationally.
Humor, health and diplomacy converge in this brief interaction, providing subtle yet important clues about Türkiye’s foreign policy and leadership practices.
Moreover, it shows how Erdogan connects daily life with diplomatic messaging; health diplomacy is applied not just in words, but in visible, concrete actions.
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