Strange one - teen smoking in the US

[asmidir]

Hi

We're looking at going in August (maybe) and it's been 2 years since we last went (i imagine like a lot of people)

My teen son smokes and is under 18 and I think he'll struggle if he can't smoke on a 2 week holiday.

I believe the US is 21 as well

We tend to stay in hotels rather than a villa, so I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue?

I don't want hotel security chasing or harassing him on holiday!

BTW I definitely don't want him to smoke, but he has a whole range of issues, and this helps keep him calm

Any non-judgemental advice appreciated!

[jndt]

Knowing what would happen if he was caught drinking I would expect it to be the same for smoking given they have just increased the age from 18 to 21.

[Helen J]

The minimum age varies from state to state, but in Florida it is definitely 21. It's really not worth the risk of getting caught, you may have to consider somewhere else for a while.

[Shooby doo]

Not sure how strict it's upheld but there are very few places where smoking is even allowed, Disney wise you have to leave the park, not sure about the others. Hotel wise it's not even supposed to be allowed on your balcony & you can be hit with a cleaning bill if they decide your room has been "contaminated"! Ds is a vaper & his GF a smoker, I think if they were totally honest they would say that it was a pain having to leave the park but certainly they managed before we picked them up every morning from Port Orleans.
SD

[Moorlandman]

You can definitely smoke at Disney back in 2018. Not sure about ages limits though

[Gryff]

He’d be asked for I’d to buy cigarettes and be refused you could be prosecuted for buying them for them they would not be allowed to buy them in duty free with a us boarding card
And most importantly they may be banned from all the parks for smoking even in designated areas and for life as it’s an offence
Just not worth it to be honest

[landandword17]

I think DeSantoes vetoed the Bill that would have raised the age to 21 so not sure if it is 18 or 21 in Florida. My hunch is they wouldn't be actively policing this the way they do alcohol and the smoking age is enforced at point of sale mostly. I think it's more sale/provision that's prohibited rather than consumption so It's probably also illegal to buy tobacco for a minor over there so he will have to bring his own supply as you'd get in more trouble for providing them to a minor than he's get for been seen smoking on his own.

You'll also have to take into account that hotels these days have limited areas where you can smoke. Usually not allowed on the balcony, by the pool etc. and only in designated areas. So he will have to use those and remember they are not likely to turn the blind eye over there if he had a sneaky the way you might here.

So my advice would be bring you own cigarettes, obey all non smoking signs and smoke only in designated areas, be discreet especially if he looks his age.

I think Disney have taken out all the smoking areas and it's completely banned in the theme parks now? I wouldn't chance it in any crowded place because you can guarantee some Karen type would report a smoking child to security and it's the parents that would probably get the verbal warning.

If he really needs his cigarettes to stay calm I'd pick a villa but he will have to smoke outside, so many feet away. Pool area may be allowed depending on owner but be very careful that the smoke smell doesn't get in the home as they will charge you a fee.

[JAF]

It is 21 before you can legally smoke in Florida although there are some students who get round the rules it is not worth the risk for a visitor.

[sunkisser]

Oh crikey I didn’t even think of this! My 19 yr old smokes but looks about 14😳. Luckily we are booked into a villa which allows smoking around the pool.
Is it 21 for vaping too?

[Gryff]

Sorry doesn’t matter even if it’s in a private home /villa they can’t smoke if under Florida age for smoking it’s still an offence treated the same way/as supplying any illegal substances to an under age minor you will be the liable party as you rented the villa we don’t allow any under age activities on our T&Cs in accordance with Florida Law
please check with the villa owner on this
Vaping I’m not sure about off to check that one out