Kate Moss Swaps Handbag for Cigarette… on the Catwalk

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Kate Moss

Getty images/Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho

Kate Moss stormed down the catwalk in black shorts and laced-up boots at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris yesterday, with one distinctive accessory: a lit cigarette. She made quite the statement–for national anti-smoking day.

The show, which Marc Jacobs said aimed to reflect woman’s freedom of expression, has led to a controversy that’s more about politics than handbags. Her rebellion follows the U.K.’s plans to introduce plain packaged cigarettes hidden from display. Though it might just have been Kate’s successful attempt to steal the limelight.

(More on TIME.com: Will citizens in Greece listen to the new smoking ban this time? )

In 2008 Kate tried to give up her 30-a-day habit, because it affected her skin and was bad for her daughter’s health. She even started using nicotine patches, which were inconvenient at shoots.

Health campaigners said Kate is encouraging young girls to take up smoking. This isn’t the first time that the supermodel has stirred up controversy. Back in 2009 she infuriated health campaigners when she said, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, which they said encouraged more instances of eating disorders. She has also been involved in widely publicized cocaine scandals.

Sure, she doesn’t seem to be the best of role models. But let’s be thankful it was a cigarette she was smoking and not something that’s actually illegal. (via Guardian)

(More on TIME.com: Smokers in Honduras can be reported by family members for lighting up at home)