File photo of Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni smoking.
Hot mic: Italy’s Meloni says she quit smoking
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
During the G7 Summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a personal milestone with fellow world leaders.
In an informal exchange captured on a hot mic, Meloni revealed that she had successfully quit smoking on May 1, approximately one month prior to the mid-June gathering.
The candid moment occurred as leaders awaited the arrival of US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inquired whether Meloni had smoked that morning, prompting her response: she had stopped entirely since the first of May.
Italian PM Meloni tells G7 leaders that she quit smoking 1 month ago
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 17, 2026
In October 2025, Turkish President Erdogan told her: “You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking.”
French President Emmanuel Macron jumped into the conversation, saying: “It’s impossible!”
“I know, I… pic.twitter.com/eXdgZHODaB
Meloni’s announcement elicited immediate applause and congratulations from counterparts, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and others.
European Council President Antonio Costa noted his own successful cessation in 2005.
The Italian leader, who had previously quit for 13 years before resuming during her time in office, expressed that she now requires multiple coffees to start her day but has overcome the tobacco habit.
The exchange remained light-hearted, with Carney jokingly inquiring about nicotine patches, drawing laughter from the group.
