What should flight attendants instruct passengers to do if there is smoke in the cabin?

In the event of smoke in the cabin, the correct instruction for flight attendants to give passengers is to stay low and cover their mouths with clothing to avoid inhalation. This guidance is designed to help passengers minimize their exposure to smoke and toxic fumes, which tend to rise. By staying low, passengers can access cleaner air closer to the floor, where smoke concentration is reduced. Covering the mouth with clothing also serves as a barrier to help filter out some of the harmful particles in the smoke.

Remaining seated with seat belts fastened might seem appropriate in certain emergency circumstances, but it does not address the immediate dangers posed by smoke inhalation. Using oxygen masks would be crucial in a situation where cabin pressure is compromised or if the smoke is so dense that oxygen is needed. However, in the case of smoke in the cabin, the priority is to prevent inhalation and manage the immediate hazards. Opening windows is not an option on an aircraft and would not provide the relief from smoke that passengers might hope for. Thus, the focus on low positioning and a method to cover the mouth is the most effective immediate action for passenger safety in that scenario.