Dear sir, many thanks for your input in the debate!!!
Of course if I leave my models free to smoke, I cannot force them to smoke this or that product.. every model has her preferences, and I will in no way interfere.

I am based in North-eastern Italy (my hometown is Mantua, but I hold sessions in all the cities in a 100 mile radius from it).
In the early 2000s Italy adopted severe non-smoking regulations for indoor locations (means of transportation, bars & restaurants, public offices, working places etc.), but everybody is free to smoke outdoors.
Most Italian girls in the 15-25 age range still see smoking as a form on emancipation, and most boys in the same age range still find girls who smoke hotter, sexier and more uninhibited. When these girls get older, quitting smoking is not at all easy for them, so most of them keep on doing it.
Most of my models are in the 20-30 age range, so for one reason or another, most of them (I would say 60-70%) smoke regularly.

sir.. you deffo don't seem to be a fan of the "politically correct" attitude!!!
Well, for your utmost pleasure, most of my BAREFOOT URBAN GIRLS do smoke.. and do drink!!!

Well, most of my models are NOT into extreme stuff (like putting out cigarettes with their soles), and actually only a few are into doing stunts like Kea's one.. but I will try my best to add to my model roster also girls who are into the more extreme side of barefooting.. even if such girls are extremely rare in Italy, compared to other countries.
Many thanks for your input in the debate!!!

Dear sir.. being an old-school photographer, I must admit that the traditional glamour photography cliche "smoking woman = femme fatale" still works for me.. so I am on your side.. even if surgeons will not be happy..
By the way.. someone should explain to me why many Italian surgeons DO smoke!!!

Dear sir, the question whether smoking joints is legal or not in Italy (my country) is extremely tricky (well, like many other issues, including the legal status of adult-oriented photography and of exhibitionism!!!).
In doubt, I always tell my models NOT to smoke joints when posing.

well, the fact of leaving my models free to smoke during the sessions is actually not purposedly meant to have them convey an aura of dissolution.. but if this is the effect it does on you, and if you love it.. so be it, sir!!!
Personally, I prefer other forms of feminine "dissolution".. especially going around the city with no shoes, no bra & no panties.. and strutting all the "crown jewels" before the camera whenever possible.. and the more people around.. the better!!!
LONG LIVE EXHIBITIONIST BAREFOOT GIRLS!!!

I take your point about legal status but if the model in question is happier smoking cannabis than smoking tobacco, why not leave the choice to her? I smoke cannabis but not tobacco, so seeing a model with something else in common is a real turn on!

Dear sir.. I got your point, and I would be happy to leave my models free to smoke joints during the sessions, if they so wish.. trouble is, my sessions usually take place in the heart of the city, and I am sure that in case Italian policemen happen to pass by me and my model while she is smoking a joint in public, they will be VERY HAPPY to bring me and her on an exciting tour of their headquarters..
I could let my models smoke joints when I am holding sessions in lonely places.. but this happens quite unfrequently.
Anyway, I have taken notice of your request, and will do my best to satisfy it..
Cheers!!!

Hi oldtom, are you also from America? It seems despite my country's often very harsh laws on cannabis, the freedom of speech in our Constitution ensures that people taking photos/videos of models smoking joints (as long as they were not caught in the act by policemen) would not be penalized for the expression. But in some countries, such act could be "promoting drug use" and get the photographers arrested. Feetosopher, what's Italy's laws on that matter?

Also, Feetosopher, do you plan to come to America sometimes for your work? Unfortunately now walking barefoot on the streets is very rare in America, but your work can get more Americans to like bare feet and change our attitudes in this country.

Could also have barefoot models smoking and getting high together, and then letting them loose on the streets?

No, from UK, where the laws are still more restrictive than most.

Dear Icebluejay,
unfortunately I am no legal expert on the matter (whereas I had to learn a lot about the legal status of public nudity / flashing in Italy, as my BAREFOOT URBAN NUDITY project is centred on it).
This said, what makes things really complicated in Italy is that most laws are (purposedly?) drafted in a way to be pretty much open to judges' interpretation.
It is even more so with laws dealing with sex-related or vice-related topics, like prostitution, pornography, public nudity, use of drugs, etc.
I think that the influence of the powerful Catholic Church has a lot to do with this, as legiferating in a clear way on these issues, providing precise definitions, would leave no room to "twist the law" through interpretation, and hence no chance for the "moral leaders" to fight against any kind of freedom in "morally sensitive" fields.
So in case I portrayed my models smoking joints, we (me and the models) would be totally unable to assess in advance the possible legal implications.
I prefer a zero-risk approach, so that's why I never portray my models taking drugs.

As for myself coming to the US.. well, I'd really like to!!! You have an amazing variety of beautiful women there!!!
Sadly I don't have the resources to spend 2 solid weeks (the shortest time span to hold a round of sessions) in the US.. not for now, at least..
But let's hope that I'll be able to do it, sooner or later!!!

Many thanks for your interest in my projects, all the best from Italy!!!

Er.. your request is getting more and more challenging, Oldtom!!!
I'll see what I can do..

Hi

Didn't mean it to be especially challenging. Let say 2 barefoot models smoke joints together somewhere safe where they won't get caught, then they go out onto the streets barefoot and high!

Aha.. now I am greatly relieved..
I'll see what I can do.. without risking a free tour to the nearest police station for me and the models..