Condensation "smoke" can obviously cause concern for those who don't understand it.
Even more the sound of ice in the aircon system (e.g. rattling around on takeoff.)
I think the problem here is that society used to trust professionals (in all walks of life) and let them get on with their jobs.
As a result of high profile professional negligence (not in the airline sector), investigative journalism, consumer TV programmes stressing "rights" and postive action, society now has a tendency to be sceptic and to challenge,
I am in no way condoning the alleged actions of the passengers on this flight, just trying to understand the social psychology behind their behaviours.
I travel very frequently and see "smoke" from the aircon frm time to time, it is rarely mentioned in a PA.
On the occasions it was mentioned (FD), the company was a charter operator, possibly aware that many of their customers are "once a year flyers."
Perhaps not a bad idea to let the CC add a short explanation to the welcome brief if condensation is occuring.