Flight Passenger Condemns 'Sneaky' Travelers Who Vape in Airports: 'You Aren't Fooling Anyone'

Vaping at airports or mid-flight is sparking heated debates among travelers, with some calling out the behavior as inconsiderate and downright bold. A Reddit user recently voiced their frustration, saying, "Hearing the announcement and then hitting your vape again is mind-boggling, and shows zero situational awareness. You aren't fooling anyone, and you're a joke that deserves consequences." Ouch. That’s some grade-A online roasting.

Last year, a viral video captured a passenger casually vaping near the boarding gate, sending clouds of vapor into the air as others prepared to board. Naturally, the internet had thoughts. Comments ranged from sarcastic jabs like "Gotta hold it in so the smoke doesn’t come out" to outright jokes about nicotine cravings: "How long was the flight? Dude had to get his last hit of nicotine." The boldness of some travelers just never ceases to amaze me.

Some Reddit users also chimed in with their own experiences, speculating that such travelers might resort to sneaking hits in the airplane lavatory. "You know he’s hitting it in the lavatory," said one user, while another joked, "Just be a frequent user of the bathroom vape." It seems like frequent flyer miles aren’t the only thing some passengers are racking up.

Despite the creative attempts to bypass the rules, airports and airlines have made it abundantly clear: no smoking, no vaping. At New York’s JFK Airport, smoking is prohibited inside Terminal 4 and in operational areas, with only specific outdoor spots available. Meanwhile, airports like Harry Reid International in Las Vegas and Miami International offer designated smoking lounges, proving that there are legal options if you simply can’t wait.

Onboard, the no-vaping policy is equally strict. A Reddit story recounted a pilot’s cabin-wide callout of a vaping passenger mid-flight. The pilot reportedly said, "There are 189 of you on this flight. While we make our final descent, please know we are going to be safe and sound, but that could have changed because one person decided to risk the lives of the other 188." Talk about public shaming at 30,000 feet.

Travel expert Gary Leff weighed in, explaining the legal basis for banning vaping on planes. "The FAA has interpreted the prohibition on cigarette smoking to include vaping products," he said. Leff added that while vaping and smoking are different, the regulation extends to all such devices to keep the air onboard safe for everyone.

So, to all the sneaky vapers out there: maybe it’s time to rethink that next "last hit" before takeoff. You’re not fooling anyone, and the consequences could be, well, sky-high.