When I served on boomers back in the late 60s and early 70s, we were allowed to take along 15 cartons per patrol (which we paid $2.20 each on the tender). And that 15 cartons figure was based on what the XO smoked over a typical 65-day run.
Smoking was allowed everywhere, of course, and I would estimate that 80% of the crew smoked.
I took my first overseas flight from Travis AFB to Clark AB in the Philippines nearly 50 years ago. We flew on a MATS C-121 manned by a Navy crew. Don’t remember how many PAX were aboard, but all seats were filled. Almost every PAX was smoking, and the Navy stewards spent most of their time in aisles emptying those arm-rest ashtrays. If you DIDN’T smoke, tough toenails.
What boomers did you serve aboard and were there any fire dangers when smoking?